Water Safety All Year Long: Tips to Protect Kids at Home
Water safety is an important concern for every family, but especially so when there are young children involved. Many parents enroll their children in swimming lessons and teach them about water safety away from home. However, they often forget the dangers of water within the house. Water-related accidents, including drownings, continue to cause serious injury and even death. It is important to recognize the dangers that exist within our own homes.
Understand the hidden dangers of water at home
Water accidents in the home can happen quickly and silently. Water accidents can occur in the home quickly and without warning. Prevention and vigilance is therefore essential.
The backyard pool is often the first thing that comes to mind when we think about water hazards. Parents and caregivers should be aware of the many other water hazards in their homes. It is just as important to secure a pool as it is to ensure safety around toilets, buckets of water, bathtubs and ponds. Toddlers and infants are the most at risk.
You Can Never Start too Early to Think about Water Safety
Even before your child can walk or swim, water safety should be a priority for you from the moment they are born. Water safety at home is a much more important priority than swimming classes. Accidents can occur at any age, whether or not your child knows how to swim.
Your baby is naturally curious and will be interested in everything around them, including the water. Your baby can get into dangerous situations even before they start to crawl or walk. The risks will increase as they get older and more mobile. It is important to be alert and take proactive steps. You can help your child understand water safety risks by teaching them early.
Backyard Pools: A Common Danger Spot
Families with pools in their backyard are at a higher risk of drowning or water-related accidents. A pool can be a great family feature, but it also poses a serious danger. It is important to take precautions. When it comes to water safety, the pool gate and fence are the first thing you should consider.
- Installing Strong and Secure Fences
It is important to have a pool fence that has a gate with securing latches in order to keep young children out of the pool. Unsupervised children can cause many drownings. It is crucial to make sure that the gate is secure and childproof. MagnaLatch is a magnetic latch which automatically locks the gate. Ensure that the gate hinges are self-closing to avoid it being accidentally left open.
- Watch out for Climbing Hazards
After you’ve installed the appropriate fencing and gates, remove all objects that could be used by children to climb the fence. The inventiveness of children is astounding. Anything from a bicycle to a chair can be used as a stepping-stone to reach the pool. Be sure to remove any items which could be used as climbing aids and keep an eye on what’s left around the pool. Regularly check the area around the pool for any items that may have been left that could be used by a child to reach the fence.
- Be prepared all year round
Water accidents can occur at any time. Your child’s safety is at risk whether it’s winter, spring or fall. This includes bathtubs, toilets and ponds. It is dangerous to have the “it won’t be me” attitude. Every season brings its own challenges to ensure water safety. Stay alert and prepared for the whole year.
Bathroom Water Safety
The bathroom is a potentially dangerous area of the house, since bathtubs and toilets pose a significant risk for drowning. Even if your child is just using the toilet or taking a shower, it’s vital to keep an eye on them. Here are some important tips to ensure bathroom water safety.
- Always Supervise Bath Time
Even for a few seconds, never leave a young child alone in the bathtub. Even a few inches of water can pose a risk of drowning. Even a brief distraction could lead to disaster. Keep your child within reach while in the bathtub. Make sure the water temperature is safe and shallow before placing them into the tub.
- Close toilet lids and use safety latches
Toilets can be a dangerous feature of the bathroom for children, especially toddlers. Open toilets can be dangerous for babies and small children. Always keep the lid of the toilet closed when it is not being used. Use safety latches on bathroom doors to secure them, especially when they are not in usage. These simple steps can prevent a potentially fatal accident.
- Drain the tub after use
Drain the tub as soon as you are done bathing. Water in the bathtub can be a constant hazard. This is especially true if you leave the bathroom door ajar. Make sure that nobody can fall into the bathtub when the water is high.
Safety on the Beach, Lake or Public Pool
It is important to be aware of the dangers that can occur when you and your family are at the beach, or on a lake. These locations require different water safety precautions from backyard pools.
- Always supervise children
Never let children swim alone at a beach, a lake or a swimming pool. Have a designated adult who actively supervises the children as they swim. The person supervising the children should not be distracted with other activities such as using a phone or socializing. It is important to keep someone constantly focused on the water. A child can easily drown if they are not paying attention.
- Know Your Swimming Area
Make sure you swim in a safe area. Select swimming areas and beaches that have trained professionals on duty to monitor them. Always err cautiously and avoid areas with strong currents, poor visibility or other conditions that are not known.
- Wear life jackets and safety gear
Consider using flotation devices or life jackets for your children, even if the area is designated as a safe swimming area. Life jackets aren’t a replacement for active supervision but they can keep children afloat if an emergency occurs. You should make sure that any flotation device you use is properly fitted to the child and is designed according to their age and size.
Water Hazards in the Home
Accidents involving water can happen in unexpected places. Even small containers, such as buckets, ponds and wading pools, can pose a risk. These are some other tips for reducing water hazards at home.
- Close and lock bathroom doors
To prevent children from gaining access to dangerous areas, ensure that the bathroom doors are closed and locked securely when not in use.
- Empty buckets and wading pools after use
Even a small amount can pose a risk to an infant or toddler. Always empty buckets, wading pool, or basins after use and store them upside-down to prevent water accumulation.
- Install pool alarms and fences
Consider installing a swimming pool alarm. Also, make sure that the area surrounding the pool is properly fenced. This will alert you to any movements in the water, and prevent unsupervised entry to the pool.
Teach Your Family Water Safety and Use It Year-round
Not only during summer, but all year round, water safety is something that should be discussed in the home. Teach your kids to swim as soon as possible and maintain active supervision in any water environment, be it the backyard, bathroom or beach. Be proactive about eliminating water hazards in your home and educate your family.
Conclusion
Water activities are fun and can provide opportunities for families to bond, but it’s important to take precautions to make sure everyone is safe. Water safety is a priority, whether you are at home or on holiday. You can help reduce the risk of accidents involving water by being proactive and prepared.
