With summer full in swing many of us enjoy being by the pool, sprinklers or the beach! My family loves to spend a lot of time near the water in the summertime. We frequently visit the towns wading pool and we have a summer pass to the near by beach. With that comes the need for safety with our children.
A few water safety tips to keep you and your family safe this summer. Found on a great site Safe Kids
- Actively supervise children in and around open bodies of water, giving them your undivided attention. Appoint a designated “water watcher,” taking turns with other adults.
- Enroll your child in swimming lessons after age 4 – typically the earliest age when they are likely to practice and retain information. Teach children how to tread water, float and stay by the shore.
- Make sure kids swim only in areas designated for swimming.
- Teach children that swimming in open water is not the same as swimming in a pool: they need to be aware of uneven surfaces, river currents, ocean undertow and changing weather.
- Do not let kids operate personal water crafts such as jet skis. These are intended for adults and require special training.
- Teach children not to dive into oceans, lakes or rivers because you never know how deep the water is or what might be hidden under the surface of the water.
- Learn infant and child CPR and keep a phone nearby in case of an emergency.
Did you know?
- Drowning is one of the leading causes of death for Canadian children aged one to four.
- For every toddler who dies from drowning, it is estimated there are three to five additional near drownings, which require hospitalization.
- In nearly half of the infant and toddler drownings, the victims were alone.
- A small child can drown in only a few inches of water – enough to cover the mouth and nose.
- Drowning can occur in less time than it takes to read this safety message.
- The most common location for infant drownings is the bathtub.
- Home swimming pools account for 38% of toddler drownings.
- Since 1991, only 4% of reported toddler drownings were in pools with self-closing and self-latching gates.
- If all home pools were equipped with self-closing and self-latching gates, nearly all toddler pool drownings and about one-third of all toddler drownings could be eliminated.
Source: National Drowning Report 2001 Edition on the Red Cross website.
Some very scary stats to read but I think with that we also realize we need to protect our young ones any way we can. I would like to show you a swim aid that I have been recently introduced to that my children and I just love to pieces!
My thoughts: Both my children disliked wearing a life jacket for swimming but really had no other choice as they don't know how to swim yet. Last summer my daughter used the blow up floaties and was very adventurous, making mommy a nervous wreck unless I was standing right on top of her. This year we had the chance to try out Puddle Jumpers. At first sight I loved the material and colours. The kids tested them in the wadding pool first and loved them. No riding up or buckle loosening. They are easy to take off and dried fast. Both my children are very confident using them and my son has told everyone "This puddle jumper helps me swim!" with a huge smile on his face! I was very amazed when we took them to the beach for the test and they hold the child up very well. When they are on their belly their face is up out of the water. I love the chest strap! One of our friends kids used tried them also and loves them. These have given me more confidence also in the safety of my children around and in water.
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~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Canadian Coupon Mom on behalf of Coleman/Stearns. I received two complimentary puddle jumpers for review purposes. The giveaway is sponsored by a PR firm. All opinions are honest and my own. *~
