Swimming Pool & Water Safety

Swimming Pool & Water Safety

Pools, lakes, ponds, and beaches mean summer fun and cool relief from hot weather. But water also can be dangerous for kids if parents don't take the proper precautions. Nearly 1,000 kids die each year by drowning. And most drownings happen in home swimming pools. It is the second leading cause of accidental death for people between the ages of 5 and 24.

Here are a few ways to keep your kids safe in the water and make sure that they take the right precautions when they're on their own.

Always watch children closely when they're in or near any water. Young children can drown in less than 2 inches (6 centimeters) of water. That means drowning can happen where you'd least expect it.

Take swimming lessons. Kids over 4 years old should learn how to swim correctly (local recreation centers and public pools often have classes taught by qualified instructors). Kids who are younger (but older than age 1) also might benefit from swimming lessons, but check with their doctor first. If you're not a swimmer yourself, it's a good idea for you to take lessons and learn how to swim too.

Don't assume that a child who knows how to swim isn't at risk for drowning. All kids need to be supervised in the water, no matter what their swimming skills. Infants, toddlers, and weak swimmers should always have an adult swimmer within arm's reach to provide "touch supervision." “Swimmies” or other flotation devices are not a substitute for adult supervision.

Invest in proper-fitting, Coast Guard-approved flotation devices (life vests) and have kids wear them whenever near water. Check the weight and size recommendations on the label, then have your child try it on to make sure it fits snugly. For kids younger than 5 years old, choose a vest with a strap between the legs and head support (the collar will keep the child's head up and face out of the water). Inflatable vests and arm devices such as water wings are not effective protection against drowning.

Water temperature is important. Enter the water slowly and make sure it feels comfortable for you and your kids. A temperature below 70°F (20°C) is cold to most swimmers. Recommended water temperatures vary depending on the activity and a swimmer's age, as well as for pregnant women. But in general, 82°-86°F (28°-30°C) is comfortable for recreational swimming for children (babies are more comfortable when the water is on the warmer side of this temperature range). Body temperature drops more quickly in water than on land, and it doesn't take long for hypothermia to set in. If a child is shivering or has muscle cramps, get him or her out of the water immediately.

Keep water safety a priority, even after the swim season is over. Pools with covers are not safe; many kids try to walk on top of pools during the winter months and may get trapped underneath a pool cover. In addition, icy pools, ponds, and streams are tempting play areas for kids, so keep your pool gates locked and teach your kids to stay away from water without your supervision. If you have an above-ground pool, it's wise to always lock or remove the ladder when the pool is not in use.

Teach children these tips so they can keep themselves safe while swimming:

• Let kids know that they should contact the lifeguard or an adult immediately if there's an emergency.
• Kids shouldn't run or push around the pool and should never dive in areas that are not marked for diving.
• Teach kids never to swim alone. Using the buddy system means there's always someone looking out for you.Teach your child to get out of the water during bad weather, especially lightning.
• Make sure your kids understand that swimming in a pool is different from swimming in a lake or the ocean and that there are different hazards for each.

Home Pool Safety

Having a pool, pond, spa, or hot tub at you home requires you to take some additional safety precautions.

Hot tubs may feel great to adults, but kids can become dangerously overheated in them and can even drown, so it's best not to let children use them.

Having a fence (one that goes directly around the pool or spa) between the water and your house is the best safety investment you can make and will help prevent pool-related drownings. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), fences should meet these standards:

• Fences should stand at least 4 feet (130 centimeters) high with no foot or handrails for kids to climb on.
• The slats should be less than 4 inches (110 millimeters) apart so a child can't get through, or if chain link, should have no opening larger than 1¾ inches (50 millimeters).
• Gates should be self-closing and self-latching, and the latch should be out of kids' reach.

You can buy other devices, such as pool covers and alarms, but these haven't been proved effective against drowning for very young children, so fencing remains your best measure of protection.

Lakes and Pond Swimming Safety

Don't let kids swim without adult supervision. Lakes or ponds might be shallow near the bank, but increase in depth sharply farther out from shore.

Ponds and lakes may hide jagged rocks, broken glass, or trash. Make sure kids wear foot protection; even in the water, they should wear aqua socks or water shoes.

Watch out for weeds and grass that could entangle a leg or arm.

Beach Swimming Safety

Teach kids to always swim when and where a lifeguard is on duty. They shouldn't swim close to piers or pilings because sudden water movements may cause swimmers to collide with them.

Unlike the calm waters of a swimming pool, the beach has special dangers like currents and tides. Check with the lifeguard when you arrive to find out about the water conditions.

Don't allow kids to swim in large waves or undertows, and tell them never to stand with their back to the water because a sudden wave can easily knock them over.

Teach kids that if they're caught in a rip current or undertow, they should swim parallel to the shore or should tread water and call for a lifeguard's help.

Swimming & Water-Related Illnesses

Swimming and other water-related activities are excellent ways to get exercise during the warmer summer months. People swim in pools, oceans, lakes, and rivers each year and most of them have a safe and healthy time enjoying the water. However, it is also important to be aware of ways to prevent water-related illnesses that could sideline your kids’ summer fun.

Recreational Water Illnesses (RWIs)

Contrary to popular belief, chlorine does not kill all germs instantly. Some germs are very tolerant of cholorine, and once they get in the pool it can take minutes or even days for chlorine to kill them. Swallowing just a little water that contains these germs can make you sick.

RWIs include a wide variety of infections, such as gastrointestinal, skin, ear, respiratory, eye, neurologic, and wound infections. The most commonly reported RWIs are caused by germs such as Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Shigella, norovirus and E. coli.

Teach your children these easy and effective healthy swimming tips to help protect everyone from RWIs:

• Don't swim when you are sick.
• Shower with soap before you start swimming, and wash your hands after using the toilet.
• Don't swallow the water you swim in.
• Parents should also make sure their pool, hot tub, or spa is at the proper free chlorine level and pH before getting into the water.

Parents of young children should take a few extra steps:

• Take children on bathroom breaks or check diapers often. All children who are not toilet-trained must wear swim diapers.
• Change diapers in the bathroom or diaper-changing area and not at poolside where germs can rinse into the water.

Swimmer’s Ear (acute external otitis)

Swimmer's ear is an infection in the outer ear canal, which runs from your eardrum to the outside of your head. It's often brought on by water that remains in your ear after swimming or bathing, creating a moist environment that aids bacterial growth.

Swimmer's ear may start with some itching, but it’s important not to scratch because this can worsen the infection. Ear pain is the most common sign of swimmer's ear. Even touching or bumping the outside of the ear can hurt. The infection can also make it harder to hear with the infected ear because of the swelling that happens in the ear canal. Mild swimmer’s ear can generally be treated with prescription ear drops that contain an antibiotic to kill the bacteria.

Help your kids to follow these steps to avoid swimmer’s ear:

• Keep your ears dry. Dry your ears thoroughly after exposure to moisture from swimming or bathing. Dry only your outer ear, wiping it slowly and gently with a soft towel or cloth. Tip your head to the side to help water drain from your ear canal.
• Avoid putting foreign objects in your ear. Never attempt to scratch an itch or dig out earwax with items such as a cotton swab, paper clip or hairpin. Using these items can pack material deeper into your ear canal and break or irritate the thin skin inside your ear.
• Use caution after an ear infection or surgery. If you've recently had an ear infection or ear surgery, talk to your doctor before you go swimming.
• Swim wisely. Watch for signs at lakes and beaches alerting swimmers to high bacterial counts and don't swim on those days.

Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)

The National Eczema Association estimates that over 30 million Americans may have a skin problem called eczema. Eczema is a non-contagious, inflammatory skin condition in which the affected skin has a hypersensitivity reaction and breaks out in an itchy rash. Eczema is commonly found in the folds of the elbows and knees, and on the feet, hands, neck, and face. Swimming and summer heat can sometimes make this reaction worse. The rash may be further irritated by swimming in salt water, or pools containing chlorine and other potentially irritating chemicals that have a drying effect. Spending extended periods of time in the water or soaking in very hot water, like in a hot tub, can also worsen symptoms.

To help reduce irritation from swimming, people with eczema should:

• Take a bath or shower using a mild cleanser shortly after swimming to wash off any salt or chemicals
• Use a soft towel to pat yourself dry
• Apply a dermatologist approved moisturizing lotion to your entire body
• Limit how long you are in the water
• Avoid hot tubs/spas

Athlete’s Foot

Athlete's foot is a fungal infection of the skin on your foot that thrives in warm, moist areas. Your risk for getting athlete's foot increases in the summer if your feet are kept wet for long periods of time, or if you have increased sweating. Athlete's foot is also contagious and can be passed via surfaces like pool decks, showers, and locker rooms.

To prevent this common summer condition:

• Avoid walking barefoot. Always wear shoes or sandals when walking around at public pools and showers.
• Dry your feet thoroughly, especially between the toes, before putting on your shoes and socks.
• Change your shoes and socks during the day if they become saturated with sweat.
• Give your shoes a chance to fully dry out between uses by alternating pairs every 2-3 days.