The Moms Code: Safety Tips To Teach Your Children About The Pool

When summer finally arrives with warmer weather, one of the best activities to do is swimming. But this fun activity can be dangerous for kids if they don't learn how to properly behave around pools.

Pool safety is one of the most important things you need to teach your children about and remind them about every year. With many accidents that could happen to children in and around the water, it is our responsibility as parents to ensure our kids have the information they need. Keep reading to discover the top 10 safety lessons to teach your kids about the pool.

NEVER RUN NEXT TO THE POOL

It's easy for little ones to get excited about going swimming, but it's important for them to not run next to the pool. Since there's always going to be water that spills out of the pool, this causes the areas around the pool to be slippery.

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If a kid is running, they could slip and fall into the pool, injuring themselves. Being careful when walking in the pool area will cause less slipping and injuries. So let your kids be excited about enjoying the pool, but make sure they walk safely!

STAY AWAY FROM DRAINS AND FILTERS

Not only are there lessons to teach your kids about being around the pool, there are important lessons to teach your kids when it comes to being in the pool.

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Since pools have drains and filters, you need to teach your children that those pool functions are important for the pool to run efficiently and to not play with them. Pool drains and filters can be dangerous for kids if they play with them by having their hands or hair get stuck to them. Make sure they know that those are not to be played with.

USE SLIDES PROPERLY

Playing in a pool is fun, especially if you have a water slide attached to the pool. But the water side is not to be played around with.

Parents need to teach children to only go down the slide properly (i.e. on their butts) and tell them not to run up it or use it in a way it was not built for. Water slides are slippery by nature and any goofing around can lead to injury. Make sure your little ones know how to properly use the water slide.

ONLY PLAY SAFE WATER GAMES

There are lots of fun games for children to play in the pool, but there can also be dangerous games that your kids want to play without knowing it can be risks. Some of these games include seeing how long they can hold their breath underwater or to try swimming the full length of the pool when they are still new swimmers.

These are not the type of games you want your kids to be playing. Instead, encourage them to play games like Marco Polo and other games that do not require them to hold their breaths!

ALWAYS BE WITH A BUDDY

One important lesson you need to teach your kids is to always go swimming with a buddy. When they are still little, this means having another adult present when they are in the water. And even when they grow up, they should always go swimming with a friend. You want to teach them that even if they are a good swimmer that something could happen and they want to have someone next to them in case they ever need help. So teach them while they are still young to make sure to never go swimming by themselves.

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WEARING FLOATIES IF YOU DON’T KNOW HOW TO SWIM

If your children don’t know how to swim then it is necessary for them to wear floaties in the water. Nowadays, floaties are not like what they use to be.

Of course, there are plastic floaties that need to be blown up, but now they even have swimsuits that have a flotation device built into the outfit. These types of floaties in bathing suits are great to allow your children to have fun comfortable in the pool without them even needing another type of flotation device. So make sure to take your time shopping to see all of the different flotation options they have now!

ALWAYS ASK PERMISSION TO ENTER THE WATER

When it is hot out, all your kids are thinking about going into the water. But they need to learn that they always need to ask permission to enter the pool. And yes, that means even if you told them today is a pool day, they need to know that unless they ask you or another adult, they must stay out of the water until you give them the all clear. Doing this will allow you time to clean out the pool of any bugs and to make sure someone is present when they go in.