Swimming Safety
Summer is coming and Memorial Day weekend marked the start of pool season for many of us here on Long Island. It is almost sort of a tradition that after the first kick-off barbecue of the Summer season, Long Islanders flock to pool supply stores, stock up on chlorine, swim float devices, vacuum supplies, etc. to begin the process of opening up the pool for kids, neighbors, family and friends to enjoy over the course of the Summer.
Park Physical Therapy in Massapequa wants you to know that there are certain precautionary steps that you should take in order to assure that your kids stay safe this summer around the pool. Each Summer, we hear awful stories of kids falling into pools because of insecure restraints surrounding pools, or inadequate supervision.
So what are some things that you can do to ensure swimming safety for your kids? First off and most importantly, there is no substitute for active supervision. Actively supervising children in and around water is very important. If an infant or toddler is around the water, an adult should be within arms reach at all times. It is a time that you want to avoid any distractions and the infant or toddler that is in the water should be the only thing that is on your mind.
When it comes to babies in the water, you want to start slow. You should avoid taking babies into pools up until they are six months old. The harsh chemicals in a pool can be harmful to their skin.
Educating your kids on the importance of swimming safety is always a good idea. Enrolling them in swimming classes never hurts either. In swimming classes, they can learn how to tread water and swim properly. Kids should also know that swimming in open water is not the same as swimming in a pool. In open water, you need to be much more aware of rip-currents, undertow, the tides and changing weather. Kids should know not to go into the water without an adult present.
Do not rely on pool float devices. Noodles, blow up devices are fun, but they should not be relied on for flotation. The only thing that you should rely on for your child for flotation in a pool or any body of water is an approved personal flotation device.
It is never a bad idea to take extra steps around a pool. Make sure that your pool is in an enclosed area, with a fence around it or a gate blocking off the the steps to get into the pool. The area should be secured to ensure that no children can get in. It is also a good idea to install an alarm so that if a child were to break into the pool area, an adult would be notified.
Also, you should check the drains in your pools. Children should never play near drains. Drains can often lead to injury or death from the suction. Pools that pose the greatest risk of entrapment are public pools and inground hot tubs, anything that has a flat-drain grate.
Park Physical Therapy in Massapequa is concerned for your children’s safety. That’s why they want you to take the necessary precautions to ensure that you have a safe and healthy Summer and that your children are more educated on the importance of swimming safety.
