As summer sets in, Arkansas Children s Hospital offers the following tips for keeping children safe during summer fun. Swimming Pool Safety Never leave children alone in or near the pool, even for a moment.
Swimming pools are the leading drowning risk for pre-school children.
Regardless of what water skills your child has acquired, parents should always maintain constant supervision. Make sure that you or any adults watching your children swim know CPR and can rescue a child if necessary. Avoid inflatable swimming aids since they are not approved life vests and can give children a false since of security. If you do use them, be sure and remove all water toys after leaving the pool so children aren t tempted to reach for them. Children are not developmentally ready for swim lessons until after their fourth birthday, therefore classes offered for toddlers and babies do not decrease their risk of drowning.