Watching your little ones cool off in a baby pool can be both fun and entertaining, especially for them.
However, the most important thing to remember is safety.
More than 300 children under five years old die from drowning each year.
Here are a few tips to help keep your children safe when they swim.
1.
Have constant supervision.
It is important to supervise your children when they are in a pool at all times.
It doesn't matter how shallow the water is or how small the baby pool may be.
They need constant supervision either by you, another parent, a close family member, or a friend.
Never, under any circumstances, leave a child alone in a swimming pool unsupervised.
2.
Have various flotation devices available.
Floatation devices are not only safe they are also fun! Children can be both safe and entertained at the same time.
Flotation devices come in all shapes and sizes, and can easily fit into any regulation-sized pool.
3.
Avoid rough play.
Children are known to get a little rambunctious now and then.
Remember to keep rough play at a minimum in the baby pool.
Shoving each other underwater and splashing around can lead to serious accidents.
Let your children play and have fun, but make sure that it is good, clean fun! 4.
Too many kids in the pool.
Baby pools are relatively small in size.
Having too many kids in the pool can be dangerous.
A crowded pool can cause unnecessary accidents, especially of children are splashing around.
If you have other children over to swim in the pool, let them take turns.
Two or three kids in the pool at a time should suffice.
5.
Don't let them stay in too long.
Most children love water, especially young children.
When it comes to children ages five and under however, you have to be careful of too much water exposure.
Don't let them stay in the water for too long of a time.
They may end up getting sick from the chilled water, get too much water in their ears or develop rashes.
Children could stay in the baby pool all day if you let them.
6.
Clean the pool regularly.
Clean it before and after your children swim in it.
Also, store it in a dry place to reduce mildew.
Never leave the baby pool out in the yard to collect rain or sit in the sun.
Bacteria build-up can happen this way.
Scrub the pool down before you fill it with fresh water and empty out the water when your children are done swimming.
7.
Be CPR-certified.
As an extra precaution, make sure that anyone supervising your children (including you), is CPR-certified.
CPR certification can be achieved through local Red Cross organizations, adult learning programs or the YMCA.
CPR certification is important because if anything should happen while your children are swimming, you'll be able to act accordingly.