I always loved summer time as a kid, it meant spending time at the pool and hanging out with my friends on the weekends. While I was growing up, my mom would often invest in a small wading pool for us so that we could swim in the backyard. A wading pool is a small pool that is usually a few feet deep and can fill it up with water so that you can swim in the convenience of your own backyard. Even though the pool wasn’t very deep, it still posed several dangers that come along with any type of swimming pool. In fact, I remember that my mom wouldn’t sit outside in the yard to watch us. In fact, most of the time I remember that she would spend her time in the house. She was usually working around the house or watching television in the living room.
Disclosure: This post is for informational purposes only. The opinions reflected in this post are my own and based upon my own experiences.
Always Use Caution and Watch Your Child Closely When Swimming or Playing in the Water Outside
I haven’t bought my own children a swimming pool in a very long time but my youngest got a sprinkler toy for the backyard for his birthday. A young child should be watched closely while playing in a swimming pool or any type of water activity such as a water sprinkler, slip n slide. It only takes a matter of a few minutes for something to go wrong. In fact, it only takes a few inches of water for a young child to drown in, especially, toddlers. According to the US Centers of Disease Control (CDC), swimming pools account for the number one cause of deaths for children ages 1 to 4 years old.
Swimming Lessons Can Prevent Most Drownings
If you plan on purchasing a swimming pool of any type, it is important for you to get all of your children including toddlers swimming lessons. Swimming lessons might not prevent a drowning but it gives your child the best opportunity for survival if they accidentally fall in. Children who don’t know how to swim often panic if they can’t touch the pool floor or accidentally fall in. A child who panics is less likely to be able to swim to the edge of the pool to safety. According to the CDC, swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88%.
Swimming Pools are a Great Way to Cool Off During the Summer
Swimming pools are a lot of fun and are a great way to cool off during the summer months. If you plan on purchasing a swimming pool, including a wading pool, it is best to explain pool safety to your children. Many parents often buy their children flotation devices, such as floaties or pool rings. Flotation devices can give parents a false sense security because it only takes a moment for your child to take them off, for the device to deflate, or for your child to place their face in the water. If your child is unable to swim and they venture into deep water or can’t swim, they could possibly drown.