June 4, 2013
Poolin’ Around This Summer? Parents, Keep These Safety Tips in Mind
Summer just wouldn’t be the same without some pool time, so Doodle Bugs! has made Swim Club a part of its annual summer camp program. Each week, campers get the chance to enjoy water play and swimming at a local pool.
However, this treasured summer activity is not just fun and games; it has a serious side to it. On average, each year 66 percent of drowning-related injuries are children ages 1 -3 years and 28 percent are children ages 4 – 9 years. Doodle Bugs! is offering parents a few tips from the CPSC (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission) on pool safety to ensure kids stay out of harm’s way while swimming.
- Never leave a child unattended in the pool and always be watching him or her when around the water. Lifeguards are a valuable safety resource but parents should always be attentive when their children are near a pool.
- Be proactive with pool safety and learn CPR or make sure your child has learned to swim. Explore classes or resources that provide life-saving basics so you are prepared for an emergency.
- Define the rules with your children. Make sure they know what areas of the pool they are allowed in and enforce the no running rule. Review all public pool rules prior with your children prior to them getting in the water.
- Do your research on floatables and swim devices. Find out what’s appropriate for your child’s age and skill level and read product reviews.
- If you own your own pool, have a professional do a maintenance check to ensure you do not have cracks, leaks and appropriately working drains.
Doodle Bugs! is committed to ensuring pool safety by only allowing children ages three and up to participate in Swim Club and ensures that at least one teacher attending the field trip to the pool is CPR certified.
For more information on pool safety and things to know when owning a pool, check out the following resources: