Keeping your kids safe and protected at the pool!

How to guide

Double Olympic swimming champion Rebecca Adlington has proudly shared the occasion when her daughter received her first swimming badge. From a very early age, kids love playing in the water but it comes with risks and dangers. In order for them to properly enjoy visits to the pool and for you to be able to relax, the most important safety measure you can take is to ensure that they learn to be competent swimmers.

Protect their skin

Many parents worry about the high use of cleaning chemicals in and around the pool, especially if their children suffer from eczema or other skin conditions. While there are effective alternative green cleaning products available, chlorine can’t be avoided as its benefits far outweigh any risks posed to health. The redness often associated with it is actually caused by byproducts formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter such as sweat. This is why it is so important to shower before going into the pool as well as washing thoroughly after swimming. If your child’s skin is very sensitive, apply a thin layer of coconut oil or make a vitamin C spray to neutralize chlorine and protect against irritation.

Inflatables and safety aids

Swimming aids are a great way to boost your child’s confidence in the water but it is important to choose them carefully. Gimmicky rubber rings and inflatable toys can be dangerous and it’s important to be especially careful when choosing a float for your baby. Once your child is more familiar with the water but still needs help with buoyancy, float suits and life vests are safer and more practical. They allow your child’s arms and legs to move freely and enable them to practice their swimming strokes properly.

Be mindful around the pool

Although at a managed swimming pool the risk of drowning is negligible, it is still important to make your children aware of the dangers of water and to behave appropriately in and around the pool. Even when your child is confident in the water, their behaviour must still be disciplined. Running on wet tiles, dive-bombing into the water and playing too boisterously can all lead to accidents.

Children love playing in the water and, as well as being great fun, learning to swim is an important skill and one that could save your child’s life. With adequate protection and training, your child can safely enjoy swimming without you having to worry.