The allure of water this time of year, and especially this year where we’ve been experiencing a long lasting heat wave, can be more than one can handle. Cooling off just feels so good. With little ones, the excitement of swimming may be hard for them to hold back on, whether the situation is safe or not. Rules are super important around water, and kids are never too young to begin learning them. It’s also important to think about how to keep your kids safe around pools and beaches. Here are some general rules and guidelines for pools and beaches with kids!
POOLS

1- If you have a pool, keep the gate locked when it’s not in use, closed when it is in use and younger children are not in the pool. Have a key hidden and out of reach for younger children.
2- Always have supervision when children are in the pool or around the pool. When applicable, have kids wearing floatation devices around the pool.
3- Have floatation devices at the ready for children who are learning to swim or who don’t know how to swim. If you aren’t sure of a child’s ability to swim, don’t go on their word, have the floating device ready and “test” them first to make sure that they can in fact swim on their own. It only takes one second for a child to get in trouble.
4- Teach them the sign to signal for help. If they are in trouble you may not be able to tell, teach them to wave their arms back and forth as a sign that they need help.
BEACHES
I love going to beaches with my little guys. Last summer we stuck to the sand and dipping toes, this summer we have braver swimmers. I’m finding it tricky now that all three kids are at different swimming levels. Here are some tips at surviving the beach:
1- Know the beach. Is it a far drop off, can the kids walk out far before the water starts to get deeper? Make sure you know this before you let them go exploring. If they are going too far, and aren’t comfortable swimmers, maybe a floaty is a good solution.
2- Are there lots of boats? If so there may be waves. Be conscious that the waves will make the water higher for the kids and harder to swim in. Have floatation devices ready for them in these instances.
3- It is so hard to always have your eyes on the kids, which of course is the intention. With younger siblings around, you may have to make rules about wearing life jackets at the beach or floatation devices so that they are safe. It’s impossible to watch everyone at the same time. You know your child best. If you fear that your child will not follow your rules and limits you set, water is not the place to let them push the boundaries.
When beaches, pools or other bodies of water are too much risk for your little ones, try these ideas to keep cool. Water play is never stress free, always be watching when kids are playing in even a little bit of water as they can drown in next to no water.
1- Splash Pads – wait, all ages loves this. We are so lucky to have one here in town.
2- Water tables – With little ones, you need only a little tiny bit of water for them to splash in, throw in some measuring cups/spoons, bowls and watering cans and they can play for hours.
3- Water balloons – fill up some balloons with water and let them throw them through hoola hoops, down slides, at each other and they’ll have a blast.
4- Sprinklers – these still work like a charm. Set it up, turn it on and let them run though it.
5- Hose fights. These are all the rage here right now. A super great way to cool off.
We recently had our own scare at the pool. Our little guy jumped in the pool without his floatation device. I am not nor have I ever been fast acting. I tend to freeze at the worst moment (good thing I wasn’t a nurse, paramedic or doctor) but my husband who was too far to help yelled my name which spurred me to jump in and save our son. It was the most terrifying experience of our parenting lives (thus far) and caused us to really reflect on our habits and practices around the pool. We have gone back to our rule of entering the pool area with a lifejacket and leaving the pool area with a lifejacket. We are not going to bring the kids swimming alone, for this summer we will only do it when there are both of us or two adults. We absolutely need more than one set of eyes with three kiddos in the pool. The what-ifs plagued us for a few days, and still haunt my memories but I am so grateful that everyone is ok and that this experience has acted as a reminder to be extremely vigilant and to never relax at all around water. No matter how much you know the danger of water, accidents do happen, and vigilance is key.
Whatever way you and your family choose to do to cool off, make sure you’re paying attention at all times. You do not want a trip to the beach, or pool to end in tragedy. Have fun, make memories and stay safe.
We at the Parents’ Voice Shawville wish to thank everyone who sponsored our event, donated their time by bringing trucks out, provided services or food and attended Touch a Truck 2018. It was a huge success, there were hundreds of smiles, and we were delighted to see so much happiness. Thank you all so much.