This post was sponsored by SwimWays as part of an Ambassador Program for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.
I have been swimming as long as I can remember. It is such a fun summer activity and is basically how we stay cool in the south during the heat of the day. Whether my family is at the pool, lake, or beach, we are around water all summer long. Safety is my number one concern for my children.
Because safety is my top priority and we being that we are veteran pool goers, I am sharing my pool essentials for early swimmers with this it is my mission to raise awareness about the fact that drowning is the second-leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children ages one to 14 according to the CDC and my hope that we can prevent children in becoming a statistic by preparing parents.
An attentive adult. Always have an adult carefully watch a child while around a pool whether the child is in or not. Children are unpredictable and, even though they may have had swim lessons, they can freak out under pressure. Having an adult to watch them at all times is the most important thing. When my sister-in-law and I go to the pool and she has her four kids, I make my two get out of the water if I need to go in the house for some reason because I feel like that is too many children for one person. My children may complain in the moment, but safety is always more important.
SwimWays Trainers. The best thing you can do for your child is teach them to swim. That's why I love the SwimWays brand and their Swim Steps. SwimWays Paw Patrol Swim Trainer is actually step 2, we used a baby spring float with him to introduce him to water when he was a baby. It was perfect for step 1. And since my son has been using the swim trainer, it has helped him gain the confidence he has needed because it has been him coordinate his arms and legs for more efficient swimming. He has been jumping in the deep end to us and swimming around the entire pool. SwimWays is an industry leader in helping children learn to swim and promoting water safety.
My son has been using the SwimWays Paw Patrol Swim Trainer Life Jacket featuring 3D Chase for a few weeks now. It is a permanent floatation in the arms and chest which provides greater mobility and the adjustable back buckle is out-of-reach for children, making it more secure for kids and convenient for parents. The Swim Trainer Life Jackets features soft fabric for a more comfortable fit as well. Every body of water is different so it is great to know when we take him to the lake that the Paw Patrol Swim Trainer Life jacket from SwimWays is a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal floatation device for kids (weighing 30-50 lbs).
Break Time. A little rest is essential around the pool. Swimming is great exercise which means that it is a lot of activity for little ones. Breaks and making sure they frequently hydrate is a must. Also if you're pool is out in the sun, this is a great time to re-apply sunscreen.
Gates and Drain covers. Make sure the pool is completely secure with proper drain covers and gates. If you aren't the owner, don't be afraid to ask about these things. Safety is everyone's top priority with their family and some people aren't aware the risk of not having a proper drain cover.
CPR Training. Find a local class and get CPR certified. My husband and mother-in-law have to be for their jobs so we always have someone around us who is certified. This is something you don't think about until you need it, but it is essential when caring for children.
SwimWays and their Swim Steps can help babies through older swimmers. I have created this list with my five year old son in mind. Please feel free to share any of your pool safety advice below for others regardless of the age of the child. My son has been enjoying looking down and seeing Chase on his swim trainer. The Swim Trainer Life Jacket featured is available at Target and comes in two styles featuring 3-D Graphics of popular Paw Patrol characters for both Skye in Pink and Chase in blue.
Without a doubt, safety is the most important thing to consider. Thank you for taking the time to highlight this!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you put an attentive parent as the #1 must-have for young swimmers! We also use a swimming jacket similar to this one, and both my kids love it.
ReplyDeleteThe pool floaty jacket is so much better than water wings. My daughter has really mastered negotiating a pool with it.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, these are great to have. My kids had swim lessons when they were small, so I didn't worry as much. I should have CPR training just in case!
ReplyDeleteBefore my son could swim we use these things. They were the best ever. It would keep his head going underwater no matter what. I love these.
ReplyDeleteWe typically visit our community pool during the summer months. When my children were smaller, they loved using float vests.
ReplyDeleteSwimming lessons were the best money I ever spent. I'm so glad we got them! Now my kids can enjoy swimming and I don't have to panic every time they get in or near the water.
ReplyDeleteThese are all great tips. I think anyone with little ones needs this reminder.
ReplyDeleteAn attentive adult is a must. We all need to keep our eyes peeled for our littlest swimmers.
ReplyDeleteThere is something so freeing about swimming isn't there? I love that there are so many things to help out early swimmers these days as well.
ReplyDeleteI love it. My son would love it and it would help him learn to swim!
ReplyDeletePool safety is so important! I like your rule of taking the your kids out of the pool when you run inside, even though their aunt is there. In our area a little kid drowned at a family event, I think there were too many kids for one person to watch. It was so heartbreaking!
ReplyDeleteThese look like a great way to help kids feel comfortable in the water. We have a pool float for our dog from the same company and he loves it!
My daughters love going to the pool or out in the lake. We finally have a pool this year, so we are excited to get it up and ready soon for them.
ReplyDeleteWe have something similar for our boys. They are taking swim lessons this month to get more comfortable in the water.
ReplyDeleteYES to CPR training!! I think everyone should know basic CPR because you never know when you may need to use those skills!!
ReplyDeleteMy kids always love to go for a swim and as a parent I always make sure that everything is safe before they dive in. They already know how to swim now we need to attend for a CPR class training to get certified.
ReplyDeleteThese are great essentials to keep in mind for pool safety. I think taking enough breaks, wearing sunscreen and teaching proper swim technique are all important.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many swimming pool deaths that could have been avoided if there were attentive adults paying attention to the little ones. Your tips are great and I hope so many parents will follow them this summer
ReplyDeleteMy daughter loves going to to the pool with her friends! Safety is a must! Great tips!
ReplyDeleteAll the tips you have here are helpful. It looks like the kid is having a good time. Seems that you have covered everything in here already.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Safety is the pool is key. And anything that you can use to help you little one feel safe is important.
ReplyDeleteI should swim more, and these are good safety tips!
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