Keeping your Toddler Safe while Swimming

(487 Words)
Swimming is a great summer activity for toddlers. Unfortunately, if a parent does not take the right steps, it can be very dangerous. Make sure to follow all of the following safety precautions when taking a toddler swimming.
The first rule is also the most important. You should never leave a toddler unattended, not even for a moment. According to KidsHealth, the second most common injury-caused death in children below 14 is drowning. Make sure that you have everything that you might need with you, including a towel, sunscreen, the phone, etc. If you get called away and have no choice but to leave, wrap your toddler in a towel and take him or her with you. It does not matter if your toddler can swim like a fish – he or she should never be alone. This includes toddler pools that are very shallow. A child can drown in any depth of water if he or she slips and falls.
Of course, it is not enough to simply sit there next to the child. Make sure that your eyes are on the child at all times. Do not ignore the child while talking on the phone, reading a book or looking on your smartphone. There have been unfortunate cases where toddlers drowned at pool parties. It is not enough that people are around – there needs to be someone specifically designated to watch that toddler.
It is very important to shield a child’s skin from the sun. It does not matter if it is cold, cloudy or if you will only be out for a little while. Your child can still get a sunburn, which can lead to skin cancer. Even a few small burns can cause problems later in life. Get a child-safe sunscreen of at least 30 SPF.
Keep your child in the lower depth zones. Even if you are there, you might have trouble rescuing your child if the water is over your head and you are both panicked. Look at the depth markers and stay in the safer part. If you feel more comfortable, you can put a life jacket on your child but never use that as a replacement for proper supervision.
If you are at the beach, do not let your child go too far. Only go during safe times. Choose beaches that have lifeguards on duty. Do not go out if the waves are too rough, if there are a lot of jelly fish or if there are riptides.
Make certain that your toddler obeys the rules of the pool or beach. Do not allow him or her to run around; generally, the concrete is hard and can cause damage if the child slips and falls on the wet ground. If the child is not allowed to dive then, do not allow it.
Swimming is fun, but it can also be dangerous. The above guidelines can help you protect your child.