Teaching your kids how to swim is one of the biggest joys for any parent – it’s up there with teaching them how to ride a bike or read. However, swimming can be somewhat trickier for kids – mostly because drowning is a serious issue. 

In the United States, the CDC points out that drowning is a significant factor in accidental adolescent deaths, making pool safety paramount. And sure, putting up pool safety fences and similar safety equipment is an essential step in the right direction. But besides that, you need to ensure that kids know all they need to know about the required safety precautions and the more dangerous side of swimming.

Considering that, we’ve prepared some basic pool safety tips for parents right here! 

Make Water Watching A Priority

Plenty of safety organizations keep warning parents about the dangers of unsupervised swimming, especially when younger children are involved. That’s why parents and any other caregivers should always have someone doing the “water watching”, particularly when it comes to group swimming sessions.

You could even make a water-watching tag that you could pass on to another parent when it’s time for them to take on the duty. And remember – someone should always watch your children while they swim, even when playing in a public pool with a professional lifeguard. At the end of the day, even trained professionals can’t keep up with every single child and person in a large pool – and when it comes to drowning, every second matters. 

Also, when you’re the designated water-watcher – remember that kids who are in danger in the pool may not be immediately noticeable; you need to keep an eye out at all times. Plenty of kids won’t splash around or yell, so you must be prepared to intervene even at the slightest sign of trouble. 

Drop The Phone

Unfortunately, many parents don’t do it these days – they just warn their kids not to go into the deep end before checking their emails, scrolling through social media, or doing something else on their smartphones. 

Not watching your kids every second may not be such a dangerous proposition in many other situations. However, swimming is an important exception. That Instagram post you just thought of can wait, trust us; focus on the pool safety of your kids or any other children in your care. 

Of course, you may sometimes need to make an urgent call or respond to an email. If it’s really that much of an emergency, make sure you’ve left a responsible adult to watch the kids while you’re gone. 

Think About Swim Lessons

Many people who don’t live near a body of water don’t think about swimming lessons for their children. However, even if you aren’t much of a swimmer yourself, think about this: sooner or later, your kids have a high chance of spending time near water – whether it’s a pool at a friend’s house or on vacation.

And sure, swimming lessons don’t make anyone impervious to the dangers – but swimming lessons are highly beneficial for child safety in pools, especially when kids take lessons before the age of four. 

Of course, not every child is ready for swimming lessons at the same age. If you’re unsure whether it’s the right time for your kid to learn swimming from a professional instructor, it’s always a good idea to consult their pediatrician. 

Maintain Your Pool Properly

Do you have a pool of your own? If so, hiring someone to check its safety cover, fencing, and electrical components is the smart way to go. Remember – any rough edges or loose screws could potentially trap inexperienced swimmers. Before you open the pool and let the kids in for the first time this season, you want to be 100% sure that the pool is as clean and well-maintained as possible. 

Remain Vigilant – And Let Them Have Fun

All things considered, you don’t want to stop your kids from having fun in a pool – but you still want them to be as safe as they can be. This requires constant vigilance on your part, regardless of how deep any particular swimming pool or body of water is.

Even an inflatable pool that looks temptingly kid-friendly in the store can be a threat without the proper safety precautions. So, even if you’re using one, make sure it’s got a fence around it – and a cover for when you’re not using it. Also, you want to put any ladders or steps away when the little ones are done with their swim time for the day. 

Oh, and one more thing – during the summer, consider sun safety as well. When the kids swim outside, ensure they have enough sunscreen to protect them from harmful UV rays.