Water safety
Most children love playing with, in or around water, be it at the beach or in a pool. Nevertheless, the risks associated with water should never be forgotten – remember that babies and small children can drown in as little as a few inches of water.
Knowing the potential risks and teaching your child to behave responsibly in and around water will help make it a fun and stimulating environment in which you and your child can relax and enjoy yourselves. Here are some hints and tips for safety in and around water.
Yards
- Be sure to either drain, cover or fence off ponds, swimming pools or water features.
- Drain paddling pools after use, and put them away – heavy rain can fill up an empty pool just enough to make it a hazard.
Rainwater butts and drains can also pose hazards for children, so be sure to cover these securely.
- If you have a well, ensure that it is covered.
Pool safety
- Remember to use buoyancy aids for your child if they can’t swim independently – these could either be inflatable armbands, a zip-up buoyancy jacket or a swimsuit with integral floats which can be removed as she becomes more confident. Inflatable armbands aren’t suitable for young babies, so you may want to invest in an inflatable baby swim-seat. Integral suits are great for older children, because it’s very hard for your child to remove the floats inside, unlike armbands, which can easily be slipped off.
- Inflatable rings and other pool toys are just that – toys. Don’t use them as a floatation aid in the swimming pool.
- Teach your child to walk, not run, in the pool area, and to avoid pools of water on the floor. It may be a good idea to invest in some non-slip pool shoes to avoid slipping accidents.
- Keep an eye on your child at all times. Most public pools have lifeguards, but you can’t rely on them to supervise your child.
- Respect the age or height limit on water slides and flumes, and if your child is too young or too small, don’t allow them on the slide. You may be allowed to accompany them – check with a pool attendant.
The beach
- Keep your child in sight at all times.
- Small children can easily be knocked off balance by even moderately strong waves, so always accompany them to explore the edge of the water.
- Always put buoyancy aids on your child when swimming in the sea.
- Avoid taking your child out into deep water, even on a very calm day with lots of people around – tidal waters can have a treacherous undertow.
- Lilos and inflatables can take you further out to sea than you intend, so avoid taking small children on these.
- Don’t dig deep holes in the sand for your child to play in – sand can quickly dry out and the sides can cave in and bury them.
- Non-slip pool shoes can be useful for playing by the sea as they can help to protect your child’s feet from rocks, sharp shells and hot sand.
- Beware of hidden dangers such as jellyfish. If you think your child has been stung or bitten, seek medical advice. Bear in mind that urine has been found to ease jellyfish stings due to its warmth and acidity!
- Avoid taking your child in the sea at dawn or dusk, as these are prime times for shark activity; and if there are large quantities of baitfish in the water, as these can attract sharks.
- Do not go in the water if you see any warning flags indicating that conditions aren’t safe for swimming.
The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.