Have Rescue Equipment And A First Aid Kit Nearby
Make sure you have a life ring, rescue tube or life hook that you can use to pull someone from the water to safety. This rescue equipment should be stored near the pool in a clearly marked and accessible area, and periodically checked to make sure its in good condition, according to the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals. Youll also want to have a first aid kit on hand thats stocked with all essentials.
Baby’s Stationary Activity Centres
Before placing a baby in a stationary activity centre, check the toys on the activity centre to make sure they are not broken or loose. Sharp points can cut and small pieces are a choking hazard.
- Keep the activity centre away from stairs, doors, windows, coffee tables, plants, lamps, TVs, and wood stoves, fireplaces or heaters.
- Keep the activity centre away from curtain and blind cords.
- Think twice before you buy a used activity centre. Make sure it is in good condition and check to see that it has not been recalled. If there are signs of damage, then it is likely unsafe.
- Check the label to make sure the activity centre is strong enough to hold the baby’s weight.
- Baby walkers are prohibited in Canada. Removing wheels from a baby walker does not make it a stationary activity centre. Baby walkers should be destroyed and thrown away.
Swimming Safe With A Toddler
With sunshine and heat comes the promise of endless days spent playing in the pool, at the lake, and in splash pads. But for children and toddlers , this favorite summer and vacation pastime can be dangerous for little ones and anxiety-producing for parents and other caregivers.
In general, the number of kids with unintentional injuries increases during the warmer months. An estimated 4,800 young children require treatment in emergency departments due to unintentional drowning-related incidents each year, and in 2016, 289 children under 5 died from drowning in a pool or spa. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the number one cause of unintentional injury death in children ages 1 to 4 in the U.S.
Because of this, it is incredibly important that parents be aware of and practice pool and water safetybeing vigilant will minimize the risk of accidents and maximize your familys fun.
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Inspect The Actual Color Of Your Product Prior To Installation
If it is important that your product be an exact color or shade, it is highly recommended that you inspect the actual product prior to its installation and address any concerns with your local independent installer. Most independent installers do not offer refunds or accept returns due to color variations.
Children Cant Be Expected To Save Their Siblings Lives
After the older sibling told me he tried but couldnt save his brother, I wondered why he hadnt called out to his motherwho was no more than five feet away at a table on the opposite side of the large hot tub. Theres a good chance he was in shock. He also might have been afraid of getting in trouble, especially if hed been told to keep an eye on his younger brother. Its not a kids job to watch younger siblings, says Byers, who is also a mother of three. Theyre not equipped.
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Other Swim Safety Concerns
Fun in the sun can quickly and easily lead to other uncomfortable and even dangerous conditions like sunburns, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and dehydration. With toddlers, you cannot count on your little one being able to describe discomfort or pain, so parents need to take steps to ensure toddlers and young children avoid these heat and high humidity-related conditions.
‘layers’ Of Pool Protection
The first and most important layer is constant, adult supervision during swim times. Other protective measures are important, too, says Ross. Here are some of their recommendations based on extensive product testing:
The pool should be surrounded by a fence at least 4 feet tall.
The fence should have self-closing and self-latching gates with latches that are out of the reach of children.
The fence should completely separate the pool from the house.
The door to the pool should have an alarm.
Install a rigid, power safety pool cover.
Install an underwater motion swimming pool alarm.
“We recommend at a minimum the type of alarm that attaches to the side of the pool and actually detects motion under the water, rather than those that monitor surface movement,” said Ross. “Surface alarms can be triggered by wind moving the water, and you can get more false alarms.”
Ross adds that the CPSC also tested a type of alarm that attaches to a child’s wrist like a wristwatch. There are several models available. Some sound an alarm if the wrist band gets wet. Others sound when the band has been under water for a few seconds.
“We did testing on the wrist alarms,” said Ross. “And while they are good as a backup layer of protection, we don’t recommend them as highly as the underwater motion sensor because of the false alarm problem and because they are not as reliable.”
The CPSC’s evaluation of various types of pool alarms is available online at www.cpsc.gov/library/alarm.pdf.
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Install A Pool Safety Net Or Cover
A safe swimming pool cover needs to be strong enough to withstand the weight of two adults and a child so as to allow a rescue mission in case someone falls in. Mesh pool covers, also known as safety pool covers, are a great option when it comes to swimming pool safety. They are exceptionally strong, very secure and meet the ASTM standard for swimming pool safety covers.
A Vinyl Pool Cover or Automatic Pool Cover is a motorized or manual barrier that is placed over your swimming pools water surface and is easy to open and close. When such as cover is properly in place over the pool, it provides a high level of safety cover for children who are aged below five years since it inhibits their access to the water.
Swimming pool safety nets are easier to use than most types of covers, with the exception of automatic covers.
It Could Happen To Anyone How To Prepare
Heres a sobering statistic: Nearly 400 children under the age of 15 drown in pools and spas every year about one every day. Of those, 300 are under the age of 5. And 87 percent of those fatalities occur at residential pools and spas.
This is according to Ellyn Pollack, campaign leader for Pool Safely, a public education campaign run by the Consumer Product Safety Commission that works to reduce child drownings and other incidents in swimming pools and spas. Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death for 1- to 4-year-olds, and every one of them is preventable, she says.
But its not just about knowing how to swim. Some of those incidents involve a capable swimmer whos become entrapped by a pool drain. Whats more, there have been about 60 deaths from electrocutions and 50 serious shocks in and around swimming pools since 1990, according to the CPSC.
The best way to prevent accidents is to implement multiple layers of protection: adult supervision, safety barriers, door and pool alarms, regular inspections, and training like swim lessons and CPR. If you own a pool or spa, or are thinking of building one, heres what you can do to keep your kids or your relatives or neighbors kids safe.
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Kid Safety In The Family Room
With kids, when is there ever not things on the floor? Be on constant guard for small toys and objects that can be choking hazards: batteries, coins, marbles, and pieces of toys from older siblings .
Other tips to keep in mind include:
- Keep electrical cords out of reach and use outlet covers.
- Child-proof window treatment cords to prevent strangulation: Choose cordless window coverings, if possible or keep cords well out of reach by tying them up high and keeping furniture away from windows.
- Secure furniture, televisions, and other electronic equipment to avoid any potential for tipping over on a child.
- Use safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs. Do not use pressure-mounted gates at the top of the stairs use gates that are screwed into the wall.
- Clear tempting items from tabletops.
- Place bumper guards on the edges of furniture to reduce the chance of head injury if a child trips and falls onto a corner or edge.
- Move furniture away from windows to prevent kids from trying to climb out .
Pools At Home: Safety Tips For Caregivers
Author:Cassidy Brown and Lucy KodishComments Off on Pools at Home: Safety Tips for Caregivers
Summer is heating up and COVID-19 has left public pools closed and many beaches and lakes without lifeguards. Because of this, families are turning to their own backyards to stay cool by purchasing temporary above-ground pools. These types of pools have specific drowning and safety concerns that families should be aware of.
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Kid Safety In The Bedroom
Lamps, flowing curtains or drapes, area rugs, and even candles are items that add to the ambiance of a parent’s bedroom but could prove to be dangerous for young children. Often, parents childproof their toddler’s room, but forget to do the same in their own bedroom. Since most kids spend time in their parents’ bedrooms, it is important to childproof all bedrooms.
- Lamps: Children may pull the cord or the base and topple the lamp onto their head . Use wall-mounted lamps or overhead lighting instead.
- Curtains: Kids may try to climb them, pulling the rod off the wall and down onto their head or body.
- Rugs: Little ones may slip and fall on an area rug. Use a grip pad underneath.
- Candles: To help prevent fires, never leave a candle burning unattended, and keep matches in a locked area.
Cute table lamps and rocking chairs that were so precious in an infant’s room can now spell disaster if a toddler starts standing on the chair or can reach for the lamp and remove it from its base. Be sure pictures are mounted solidly on the walls. Any piece of furniture that is taller than it is deep, especially items with shelves or drawers that a child may try to climb, must be anchored to the wall.
Consider Swim Lessons To Be A Health
Even if you dont live close to water, your child will end up near it at some point, whether on vacation or at someone elses home. Taking swim lessons absolutely cannot drown-proof anyone, but according to a recent policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics , swimming lessons maybe beneficial to children between the ages of 1 and 4. The right time to start depends on an individual childs emotional and physical readiness,says Ben Hoffman, M.D., who is chair of the AAP Council on Injury, Violence, and Poison Prevention, the group that authored the statement.
If youre not sure what that means for your kid, ask her pediatrician for guidance. Then, when its time, get lessons on the calendar pronto. The goal with very young children is to make them comfortable in the water so that when they are developmentally ready, they can learn and use skills that could be lifesaving, says Stephen Langendorfer, Ph.D., professor emeritus of kinesiology at Bowling Green State University, in Ohio, and who sits on the scientific advisory council for the American Red Cross.
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Dont Expect To Hear Help And See Flailing Limbs
You may be used to the waving arms and cries for help you see when a character is drowning in the movies, but Byers notes that its generally far more silent and subtle. A drowning child is sinking while struggling to stay afloat, so it typically looks like their hands are grabbing the air, as if they were trying to climb a ladder. She adds that lifeguards are trained to look for certain changes in behaviour as signs of trouble. When drowning, a swimmer who was horizontal goes vertical and starts bobbing up and down. Additionally, their eyes will be wide open, glassy, with a look of fear. Since they cant speak, they are looking to you for help, urging you with their eyes.
Essential Good Practice For Parents
We can all contribute to good standards of hygiene when swimming. After all, we all share the same water. Its everyones responsibility to stick to good practice. This includes:
- Pre and post-swim showers. Most people know theyre supposed to have a shower after swimming. But its also important to shower before you enter the water.
A pre-swim shower gets rid of a number of germs on our bodies. The cleaner we are, the cleaner the water is. And for parents, its your responsibility to make sure the whole family showers before swimming.
Footbaths are also a common sight, but they can be a barrier for disabled people. Another effective method of cleaning feet is the use of foot sprays.
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Why Should Your Children Learn To Swim
First and foremost, swimming is fun. Most children love getting in the water and for people of all ages, its an enjoyable leisure activity. But theres another important reason why everyone should be given the opportunity to learn: swimming is one of the only sports which can save your childs life.
According to Swim England, drowning is still one of the most common causes of accidental death in children. Learning to swim can be lifesaving. Yet a surprising amount of people reach adulthood with restricted skills. As part of Drowning Prevention Week 2019, research from The Royal Life Saving Society UK found that:
- Nearly 30% of people surveyed said that their swimming abilities limited the activities they could do
- 20% admitted they couldnt swim at all
You dont want your child to grow up not knowing how to swim, or potentially being fearful of the water. Swimming is something that children of any age or ability can get involved with in fact, its one of the most accessible sports for anyone with additional needs.
Here are some of the other benefits of learning to swim:
- Swimming is a great cardiovascular workout and burns calories without putting strain on the joints
- When learning, key accomplishments are rewarded, and it can encourage self-confidence in children
- It opens up the opportunity to take part in other sports, such as kayaking, surfing or triathlons, which require swimming skills
- 90% of 2- 4-year olds
- 80% of 5-15-year olds
- 39% of adults
- Lower stress levels
How To Create A Safer Home Pool Or Hot Tub
Secure Your Pool When Not in Use
- Completely surround your pool with four-sided isolation fencing with a self-closing and self-latching gate that is out of the reach of a child.
- A four-sided isolation fence reduces a childs risk of drowning 83% compared to three-sided property-line fencing.
- For above-ground pools, secure, lock or remove steps, ladders and anything that can be used for access whenever the pool is not being actively supervised by an adult.
- Install a secondary barrier, such as:
- Door alarms and locks that are out of the reach of a child on all doors and windows with direct access to the pool or spa area
- Lockable covers
For further details, consult the pool barrierguidelines issued by The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Establish and Enforce Rules and Safe Behaviors
- Do not enter head first unless in a pool that has a safe diving area.
- Stay away from drains and other openings that cause suction.
- Swim with a buddy.
- Only swim when supervised by a water watcher.
- Swim sober.
- Supervise others sober and without distractions, such as reading or talking on or using a cell phone.
Take These Water Safety Steps
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Kid Safety And Sports
More and more parents are placing their toddler-aged children into sports for exercise and to learn fundamentals of soccer, gymnastics, baseball, basketball, and cheer.
Age-appropriate programs can be a great outlet for a toddler’s energy as well as provide exercise and coordination practice. Just beware of programs that don’t take younger kids’ limitations into account, as these activities may put them at risk for injuries or accidents.
Rules For Having A Pool In Your Backyard
- 6 Minute Read
Every year, nearly 300 children under the age of five drown in swimming pools, making it the leading cause of accidental death for children in that age range. And 87 percent of those fatalities occur in backyard pools. In addition to drowning fatalities, more than 4,000 kids under five suffer non-fatal drowning injuries that require a visit to the E.R.
If youve ever been around young children, you know they can move quickly, they can be fearless and they like to get into everything. Pool safety is critical, as a child can drown in a few minutes quicker than the time it may take you to realize they have left the room.
Real drowning doesnt look like TV drowning, where a child kicks and screams dramatically. When a child suddenly cant get a breath of air and is going under the water, its usually too late to struggle. Real drowning is fast and usually silent. Even if youre in the pool area with your child, he or she could drown without you realizing it, making pool rules essential for your family this summer.
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