Water Safety Tips for Toddlers & Children

Teaching your kids to swim & understanding how to be safe around pools or open water is a responsibility every parent takes on. Knowing your toddler or child(ren) can swim can be comforting for parents, but it shouldn’t be your only strategy for keeping them safe.

You teach them to stop & look both ways before crossing the street, not to run out on to the road, to look for cars & where to safely cross the street, yet you wouldn’t leave your toddler or young child unattended playing by the road.

The same goes for pools, open water & even bathtubs. Drownings can occur in as little as 1.5 inches (4 cm) of water.

 

Supervision

A parent or guardian should always be present when toddlers & or young children are near water. They should always know where their child(ren) are & what potential hazards are nearby.

Creating barriers between the child(ren) & the water reduces the ability & likelihood that the child can reach the hazard. Fencing around a pool is a common method used to keep the area inaccessible. Self-latching or locking gates that are also self-closing add additional safety measures. Any gates or barriers should be regularly inspected to ensure they’re functioning properly.

 

Pool Rules

Having established pool rules can help instill the need for safety around the water.

The most common & well-known pool rule of them all is no running around the pool. A slip & fall is more likely to occur on wet surfaces & can result in serious injury.

Cleaning up the pool deck so it’s free from water toys or other pool accessories can minimize a child’s temptation to play in that area. It can also reduce the potential for someone to trip over the objects & fall into the water headfirst.

No adult, no entry. Teach them that entering the pool, lake, pond etc. can only be done once a parent has done so. This will enforce to toddlers & younger children that they shouldn’t be going in the water by themselves & that an adult needs to be with them to be in the water.

Follow through. If you say you’re going to go swimming, make sure you keep that promise. By following through with this promise, the child(ren) won’t feel as strong of a need to go near the water when you aren’t around.

 

Open Water VS Swimming Pool

Swimming at the cottage or in another open body of water is not the same as swimming in a pool at home or recreation centre. A swimming pool is a contained space where the elements can be controlled. Open water brings new hazards that swimmers are faced with. Strong currents, colder water temperatures, greater distances to land or shore, undertows, & even other watercrafts to name a few.

If you or a child has become caught in a river current or fast moving water, the Canadian Red Cross suggests rolling on your back & pointing your feet downstream. This is to avoid hitting any obstacles headfirst. When out of the strongest part of the current, swim straight towards the shore.

 

Lifejackets & Personal Flotation Devices (PFD)

Drowning accidents can be preventable. When worn properly, a Canadian approved standard lifejacket is designed to turn an unconscious person from their front, over to their back so their face up in the water, allowing them to breathe.

When buying a lifejacket for a child there are certain things you want to look for:

  • Canadian approval label containing the chest size or weight it is intended for
  • Large collars will help support a child’s head & give additional protection
  • A strap on the collar to grab on to
  • A secure strap that fastens between the child’s legs, so the device doesn’t slip off
  • Bright colours are more noticeable in the water; red, yellow & orange are preferred options

Having a lifejacket or PFD close by, even within reach, isn’t close enough. The need for adult supervision is always required around water & lifejackets or PFDs aren’t a replacement.

 

If you or someone you know has been involved in an accident your road to recovery is important to us. Fast dial #1000 free from your cell and our experienced team at Dye and Russell will get you the support you need.

Skye OliverWater Safety Tips for Toddlers & Children
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A Parent’s Guide to Water Safety

It’s finally here. The time of the year so many people wait for. Summer. Going on boat rides, getting ice cream and of course backyard BBQs are just a few past times many families enjoy during the summer months. Summer also means more people spending their days lounging by the pool, at the beach and by the lake.

Remembering to stay safe around water, especially with children, should always be a priority. Drowning is one of the most common causes of unintentional deaths in Canadian children according to The Canadian Red Cross.

So, before you take your kids to the pool, beach or around open water, make sure you read our guide on staying safe & preventing water related injuries and accidents.

  • Designate a supervisor

Many drownings and water related accidents happen due to a lack of supervision. Having someone keeping an eye on children near any source of water (that means bathtubs too!) allows for quick action should something take a turn for the worst. Keeping all young children and weak or non-swimmers in lifejackets while near water gives the supervisor additional reassurance of their safety.

  • Diving

Diving headfirst into a pool may seem like harmless fun but it can lead to serious injury if you’re not careful. Never dive into a pool, or allow divining to occur, without first knowing exactly how deep the water is. Check your surroundings for signs indicating the depth or ask the pools owner/lifeguard. Be sure to have the conversation with your children about diving in the shallow end, making sure they understand all the pool rules.

  • Open Water

Floating down a river on a hot summer day can be a fan favourite when it comes to summer activities. However, one thing most people don’t consider is how strong the current can be. Simply standing or wading in the water can cause weak or non-swimmers to be swept away quite quickly. Make sure you know what to do if you or a child were to get caught in the current.

 If you have been injured, and need legal assistance, call #1000 on your cell phone for free. We will offer you a free claim assessment.

Skye OliverA Parent’s Guide to Water Safety
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A parent’s guide to pool safety

With summer making its arrival in Canada, pool season has begun. Pool safety is an important topic this time of year. According to the Lifesaving Society, hundreds of Canadians die each year from drowning. Parents, take note – for children under 10, drowning is the second leading cause of preventable death and children under five are the most at risk of drowning.

So, before you, or your children, dip your toes into the backyard pool, it’s important to review some pool safety tips.

1. Appoint a supervisor

Children of all ages require active supervision when in the pool. This means a parent/guardian who is placing their whole attention on the water. Accidents can happen quickly, and a rapid response time is critical. Don’t be fooled by Hollywood films – drowning is quiet and splashing or screaming doesn’t occur. The attention of a parent/guardian can be the difference between life and death.

2. No diving in shallow pools

Most backyard pools are not deep enough for diving, no matter the age of the diver. This is a frequent cause of injury. It’s important to do your own research into what your pool’s size allows. Establish clear rules with your children about diving in the pool, especially in the shallower end. Some parents choose to put up signage, which is available from many hardware stores, as a reminder. Most importantly, talk with your kids and make sure they understand your family’s pool safety rules.

3. Ensure proper fencing

Small children’s curiosity can lead to drowning by falling into pools. Multiple items are available for purchase which can prevent unsupervised access to water by young children. Examples include latching gates and four-sided fencing. It’s important to comply with any local fencing bylaws in your area so make sure to research these before you open your pool for the summer.

4. Arms’ reach matters

For children under 5, it’s important to keep them within arms’ reach when in the water. While supervision may be sufficient for older kids, younger children require the physical support and balance of a parent. This is a great opportunity to teach your kids the basics of swimming and create lasting memories.

If you have been injured, and need legal assistance, call #1000 on your cell phone for free. We will offer you a free claim assessment.

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How to Help your Children Avoid Swimming Related Accidents at the Pool

Whether you have one in your backyard or not, every summer, kids are going to find their way to the nearest pool. In a child’s mind, what’s not fun about going for a swim on a hot day? It provides them with the opportunity to splash, do fun tricks off the diving board, and use their new pair of water wings.

In the mind of a parent, however, pools can pose a serious risk to the safety of their child. Each year, nearly 1,000 children die from drowning. But this cause of fatality is far from the only risk plaguing pool-going kids. Slip and fall accidents caused by wet surfaces can lead to potential head injuries for young children.

Here are ways that you can reduce the risk of accident in your backyard pool:

Install a Fence

As a parent, the risk associated with taking your eyes off your kids is only exacerbated if there is a pool in the vicinity. If you have small children, it’s advised you consider surrounding your pool with a fence, to minimize the potential risk of them falling in. When choosing which type of fence you want to install, be sure to avoid the chain link variety, as children can easily maneuver their way over it by climbing. Additionally, pick a tall enough fence, so that your kids do not have the ability to unlatch the gate.

Watch out for Drains

Pool drains pose a risk to children due to their powerful suction. Warn your children to stay away from drains, and keep your eyes on them while they swim, as their small body parts and hair can easily get sucked into the drains and cause painful injury. In addition to these preventative measures, you can opt to purchase drain covers to limit the risk.

Safety Equipment

Don’t store your floatation ring and safety rope in the shed adjacent to the pool. In the event of an emergency, safety devices need to be conveniently placed in order for you to act quickly to prevent a potentially fatal accident. Furthermore, when you are lounging by the pool watching your children swim, ensure that your cellphone is nearby, in the event that you need to call emergency services.

Clean up Toys

If your children enjoy floating on inflatable objects or pool noodles, it is imperative that you do not leave them in the pool after swim time is over. Doing so can tempt a small child to reach for one of their toys when they aren’t swimming, which can potentially lead to them falling in unsupervised.

Constant Supervision

Just because your child is a strong swimmer doesn’t mean they can’t fall victim to slip and fall accidents, or even drowning. In addition to outlining pool rules that prohibit children from running near, or roughhousing in the water, you must remain vigilant and supervise them while they’re swimming.

Invest in a Safety Cover

Finally, purchasing a high quality, motorized pool cover to prohibit access to your pool overnight can also minimize the risk of your child falling in.

Summer days spent at the pool can provide hours of aquatic entertainment. Don’t take any chances with your child’s safety. By taking these poolside precautions and remaining attentive around young swimmers, you’ll dramatically reduce the risk of an accident occurring.

Fast dial #1000 free from your cell and we’ll get you the support you need.

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