How to Keep Young Kids Safe at Pool Parties
Memorial Day marks the start of swimming season in many places, but pool parties can be dangerous places for young children. Drowning is one of the leading causes of death among kids aged 1-4, so make sure you have all the right safety measures in place before attending a pool party. Check out these essential pool party safety tips to ensure a fun and safe party.
Designate a Water Watcher
Supervision in and around water is one of the key pillars to water safety. But at a pool party with many adult present, it’s common to assume that someone else is watching. This fasle sense of security is not safe, drowning is silent and can easily go unnoticed. Designate a trusted adult whose responsibility it is to watch the pool without distractions.
The water watcher must be sober and prepared to respond in an emergency. They should be knowledgeable about how to respond in a water emergency and be trained in CPR. Assign the Water Watcher to wear a lanyard, special hat, or even a designated seat so everyone knows who is “on duty”.
Wear Life Jackets (not just to swim)
Whether your family regularly uses lifejackets or not in the water, they can offer extra safety for toddlers and non-swimmers during the party. The pool fence will likely have many people crossing through all day, and will not be a very effective barrier in preventing a child from unexpectedly reaching the pool. Wearing a lifejacket at all times can provide an additional layer of protection. Just remember to keep it on through snack time, bathroom breaks, and meal times.
** Need some more information about children wearing life jackets to swim in the pool? Here is some information to help you make that decision.
Parents Must be in the Water
Babies, toddlers, and non-swimmers need to be within arm’s reach of a trusted adult, even if they are wearing a lifejacket. While you may sometimes see parents put their kids in a life vest and let them swim alone, this is very unsafe. Every swim time is the opportunity to reinforce safe swim habits. Even at a party, require your children to use safe swim habits.
If you are the host of the party, make sure you include this information in invitations, so guests come prepared.
Review the Rules Before Swimming
Before getting to the chaos of the pool party, (maybe in the car ride there) review pool rules. Remind children that they must ask permission before they get in the water each and every time. And to NEVER EVER swim without an adult.
Review Swim Skills
If your child started swimming last year, but took the winter off, it’s a good idea to review the skills before they jump back into it. Swimming is a skill that requires consistency—it can be forgotten or lost without practice. It’s common to regress after months out of the water. Spend a few minutes in the water with them to review any swim or safety skills they learned last year.
** Looking for the best skills to review at the beginning of each swim season? Check out this post.
Safety Equipment
Safety equipment should be kept within the pool enclosure, close to the water—not stored away in the shed. In an emergency, it’s imperative to get to the safety equipment ASAP. While it may not complement the party’s aesthetics, safety is more important than appearance.
Follow these safety tips for a fun and safe pool party with your kids this summer.