Keeping kids safe in the water this summer

The last few weeks if you turn on the news you hear “2 year old drowned” or “1 year old fell into pool clinging to life”. These are horrible stories and here in Florida too many families have to deal with this tragic issue year after year. Some little ones are fortune and will survive and others aren’t that lucky. I have heard from 4 different families within the last month that had tragic accidents where their little one drowned or was near drowning in the family swimming pool and decided to compile some tips to maybe help safe your little one and your family from going through this.

it’s so sad to hear the news that another little boy or girl had an accident, so let’s put an end to this and share some of my tips and reminders to keep our little ones safe.

Water Safety to keep our little ones safe

1. NEVER take your eyes of the little ones; it can be a doggy door that lets the little one craw out to the pool, an open window or a door; NEVER ever turn your back to your kids and if it gets too quiet in the house quickly find them. I learned if my kids are quiet, there is trouble. they are doing something they shouldn’t like crawling out the doggy door towards the pool!!

2. If you are out around a pool or beach, always keep a life jacket on the little ones. In case they do fall in the pool it gives you time to grab them, at least they have a floating device that will quickly pull them up to the top of the water.

3. If at all possible take your kids for swim lessons. Start at an early age, they will learn survival skills that can be valuable in case of the unfortunate where they do end up in the pool. It will give them time to swim to the top and these few seconds will help you pull them out as well.

4. Keep reminding your children that they are NEVER EVER allowed out by the pool if no adult is out; my kids know that if no one is outside with them, they are NOT allowed in the water. Start that at an early age and they will learn. If you make a big scene they will find ways to go out to the pool. You know how it is “if it’s forbidden it’s fun”… Remind them, make it clear that it’s a fun place BUT only with Mom and Dad, never alone!! Don’t think because your little one is 4 they know, keep telling them, even at 6, 7 and 9 years.. NEVER leave them out alone!! My princess knows that if we are in the pool and the adult has to leave for whatever reason, she has to stand still in the pool till we return (seconds, any longer she will have to come out and wait).

5. Keep alarms on your doors, in case the kids open the door to the pool you can hear right away that someone is going into the pool area. Some pools even have a sensor inside that will give an alarm. Keep your pool area as safe as possible!!

6. Talk to the other adults that are outside with you (usually your family, not strangers of course) and make sure that EVERYONE will keep an eye on the kids. If you are out don’t ever think “Oh, my husband is watching him”… because he probably thinks the same and in the end NO ONE is watching!!

7. Teach your kids “NO RUNNING” around the pool area. That way no accidental falling into the pool.

These are just a few things to keep the little ones safe. I know some are common sense, but I wanted to reiterate them again, they can easily be forgotten and if it will safe just one little boy or girl, that’s what counts!!

Also, don’t forget to put on the Sun Screen when you are out having fun in the pool, we always have our Coppertone Lotion handy, just so we don’t get burned and can have a great time outside by the pool.

Do you have any Safety Tips…

would love to hear them

I’m a member of the Coppertone® Water MOMS group, I receive product samples and promotional items to share and use as I see fit. I did not receive any other form of compensation. All statements are my opinion and my opinion only. I was not asked to write this post or to write about Coppertone in any way.