Pools are a very welcome feature when going on family vacation, especially if you have young children. But to make sure everyone has a great time and returns home happy, relaxed and above all – safely, you are highly recommended to take pool safety while on vacation very seriously. Unfortunately, it’s not always possible to prevent the worst from happening but there are ways to reduce the risk of water accidents and injuries.
Here are some of the “rules” to observe to keep your family safe while splashing around the pool:
Make sure there are trained lifeguards overseeing the pool at all time. Immediate assistance of professional lifeguards with training in water rescue and CPR can make a difference between life and death. You are advised not allow your children to swim where and when there are no lifeguards at the pool.
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Don’t let your kids out of your sight. Don’t rely on lifeguards alone. Their presence is of pivotal importance but unfortunately, it doesn’t guarantee that nothing bad can happen. You should never let your kids in the pool alone, even if they are quite capable swimmers. Keep in mind that they tend get tired relatively quickly – especially the youngest ones – and may begin to panic if no one is nearby.
Sign your kids up for swimming lessons before the vacation. The sooner your kids learn to hold themselves above the water the better. Also, make sure that your kids understand that while being fun, pools can also be very dangerous and establish a clear set of safety rules to follow (e.g. no diving into shallow water, no holding your breath under the water, etc.). Also, explain that inflatables such as swimming pool lilos may help them float but aren’t enough to stay safe in the water because they can float away or lose air.
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Ask about water safety. Just because the pool water looks clean, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s clean. If chlorine levels and other pool chemicals are not kept at proper levels, the water can become a breeding ground for bacteria which in turn can lead to potentially serious infections. So be sure to inform yourself about water safety before allowing your kids to swim in the pool.
Don’t forget about safety around the pool. Keep in mind that the flooring around the pool is often slippery and that a fall can lead to a potentially very serious injury. You are therefore highly recommended to instruct your children to walk carefully around the pool and most importantly, not to run nearby the pool.
