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Learning to Swim: Keeping Your Child Safe
Tanya Altmann, MD, FAAP posted:
Spring is quickly turning into summer, and that means it's time for swimming lessons! When little ones beg for some watery fun, safety-minded parents often wonder if their child is ready to learn how to swim. How do you know if a child is ready to take the plunge?
Not all children grow and develop at the same rate, and not all children will be ready to learn to swim at the same age. When advising parents, I tell them to look for a child that can follow directions, is comfortable in the water, wants to go in the pool, and enjoys playing games and being active.
Last year, the American Academy of Pediatrics released new evidence that children from ages 1 to 4 may be less likely to drown if they have had formal swimming instruction. Check with your local American Red Cross, YMCA, and community centers to find swimming lessons and programs that are appropriate for your child. It's a life-saving investment!
It's important to remember that just because your child has had some swim training, it does not mean she will be safe in the water. I often hear patients say that they taught their toddler to swim so they could relax at the lake or at grandma's house. But you can't ever relax when your children are near water. Swim lessons are just one of the layers of protection necessary to keep your children safe from drowning. Others include:
? Fencing. All swimming pools should be surrounded by a 4-sided pool fence that is at least 4 feet high and has a self-closing, self-latching gate. A 4-sided fence alone can cut drowning risk in half.
? Adult supervision. Make sure there is constant supervision by an adult who knows how to swim, perform a rescue, initiate CPR, and call for help.
? Use a designated supervisor. Use a badge or special hat to designate whose turn it is to watch the water.
? No distractions. If you're on duty, don't turn away, not even for a second. In the moment it takes to answer the phone, a little one can slip quickly and quietly under water and drown.
? Touch supervision. For infants, toddlers and weak swimmers, use a technique called "touch supervision." This phrase means that an adult should always be within an arm's reach of a child in or near the water.
? Pool floats aren't life jackets. Although air-filled floatation devices and other pool toys are cute, they can deflate or slip off, leaving a child in a dangerous situation. These items are not really designed to keep a swimmer safe, or even keep their head above water. You don't want to use them in place of life jackets.
? Safe drain covers and outlets. Be sure that your pool has special drain covers and safety vacuum-release systems to prevent a child from becoming trapped by increasing suction when a hand, foot or hair is caught in an open drain.
Swimming is a fun summer activity and a great form of exercise for all ages. Now that you know how to keep your family safe, slather on the sunblock, grab your sunglasses and a hat, and cool off with a dip in the pool.
How did you know your child was ready to learn to swim? What tips do you have for parents seeking water fun for their children?
Not all children grow and develop at the same rate, and not all children will be ready to learn to swim at the same age. When advising parents, I tell them to look for a child that can follow directions, is comfortable in the water, wants to go in the pool, and enjoys playing games and being active.
Last year, the American Academy of Pediatrics released new evidence that children from ages 1 to 4 may be less likely to drown if they have had formal swimming instruction. Check with your local American Red Cross, YMCA, and community centers to find swimming lessons and programs that are appropriate for your child. It's a life-saving investment!
It's important to remember that just because your child has had some swim training, it does not mean she will be safe in the water. I often hear patients say that they taught their toddler to swim so they could relax at the lake or at grandma's house. But you can't ever relax when your children are near water. Swim lessons are just one of the layers of protection necessary to keep your children safe from drowning. Others include:
? Fencing. All swimming pools should be surrounded by a 4-sided pool fence that is at least 4 feet high and has a self-closing, self-latching gate. A 4-sided fence alone can cut drowning risk in half.
? Adult supervision. Make sure there is constant supervision by an adult who knows how to swim, perform a rescue, initiate CPR, and call for help.
? Use a designated supervisor. Use a badge or special hat to designate whose turn it is to watch the water.
? No distractions. If you're on duty, don't turn away, not even for a second. In the moment it takes to answer the phone, a little one can slip quickly and quietly under water and drown.
? Touch supervision. For infants, toddlers and weak swimmers, use a technique called "touch supervision." This phrase means that an adult should always be within an arm's reach of a child in or near the water.
? Pool floats aren't life jackets. Although air-filled floatation devices and other pool toys are cute, they can deflate or slip off, leaving a child in a dangerous situation. These items are not really designed to keep a swimmer safe, or even keep their head above water. You don't want to use them in place of life jackets.
? Safe drain covers and outlets. Be sure that your pool has special drain covers and safety vacuum-release systems to prevent a child from becoming trapped by increasing suction when a hand, foot or hair is caught in an open drain.
Swimming is a fun summer activity and a great form of exercise for all ages. Now that you know how to keep your family safe, slather on the sunblock, grab your sunglasses and a hat, and cool off with a dip in the pool.
How did you know your child was ready to learn to swim? What tips do you have for parents seeking water fun for their children?
0 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Learning to Swim: Keeping Your Child SafeSpring is quickly turning into summer, and that means it's time for swimming lessons! When little ones beg for some watery fun, safety-minded parents often wonder if their child is ready to learn how to swim. How do you know if a child is ready to take the plunge? <br /><br />Not all children grow and develop at the same rate, and not all children will be ready to learn to swim at the same age. When advising parents, I tell them to look for a child that can follow directions, is comfortable in the water, wants to go in the pool, and enjoys playing games and being active.<br /><br />Last year, the American Academy of Pediatrics released new evidence that children from ages 1 to 4 may be less likely to drown if they have had formal swimming instruction. Check with your local American Red Cross, YMCA, and community centers to find swimming lessons and programs that are appropriate for your child. It's a life-saving investment!<br /><br />It's important to remember that just because your child has had some swim training, it does not mean she will be safe in the water. I often hear patients say that they taught their toddler to swim so they could relax at the lake or at grandma's house. But you can't ever relax when your children are near water. Swim lessons are just one of the layers of protection necessary to keep your children safe from drowning. Others include: <br /><br />? <b>Fencing.</b> All swimming pools should be surrounded by a 4-sided pool fence that is at least 4 feet high and has a self-closing, self-latching gate. A 4-sided fence alone can cut drowning risk in half.<br /> <br />? <b> Adult supervision.</b> Make sure there is constant supervision by an adult who knows how to swim, perform a rescue, initiate CPR, and call for help.<br /> <br />? <b>Use a designated supervisor.</b> Use a badge or special hat to designate whose turn it is to watch the water. <br /> <br />? <b> No distractions.</b> If you're on duty, don't turn away, not even for a second. In the moment it takes to answer the phone, a little one can slip quickly and quietly under water and drown. <br /><br />? <b>Touch supervision.</b> For infants, toddlers and weak swimmers, use a technique called "touch supervision." This phrase means that an adult should always be within an arm's reach of a child in or near the water.<br /> <br />? <b>Pool floats aren't life jackets.</b> Although air-filled floatation devices and other pool toys are cute, they can deflate or slip off, leaving a child in a dangerous situation. These items are not really designed to keep a swimmer safe, or even keep their head above water. You don't want to use them in place of life jackets.<br /> <br />? <b>Safe drain covers and outlets.</b> Be sure that your pool has special drain covers and safety vacuum-release systems to prevent a child from becoming trapped by increasing suction when a hand, foot or hair is caught in an open drain.<br /><br />Swimming is a fun summer activity and a great form of exercise for all ages. Now that you know how to keep your family safe, slather on the sunblock, grab your sunglasses and a hat, and cool off with a dip in the pool.<br /><br />How did you know your child was ready to learn to swim? What tips do you have for parents seeking water fun for their children?
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