Precautions to Take When Teaching Kids to Swim in a Pool

Having a swimming pool installed on your property can bring your family many hours of enjoyment. There are however, responsibilities that come with owning a swimming pool, particularly if you are teaching your children to swim. When it comes to children, you can never be too safe.


According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, you should have fences around your pool that are at least four feet high with no foot or handrails. The slats on your fences should be less than four inches apart. This is so that children can not get through them. You should also have a self-closing gate that is also self-latching installed and the latch should be completely out of the reach of children.


When teaching children to swim there are other precautions that you should also meet. Be sure to teach your children that running or pushing around the pool is dangerous and never allow them to dive in areas that are not deep enough or marked for diving.


When the weather turns bad, particularly if lightening is involved, then they should know to instantly vacate the swimming pool. Keep in mind also that children should never be allowed to swim un-chaperoned. Just because your child may know how to swim is no reason to ever leave them in the water unsupervised. Be sure that an adult is present with children at all times while they are in the water.


Remember that seconds count when it comes to emergencies in the water. Be sure to always have a cordless phone or a mobile phone with you when your child is swimming. Have the emergency number or 911 on speed-dial for emergencies to save additional time if and when an emergency situation does arise.


If you happen to receive a phone call while your children are swimming be sure not to take your eyes off of them and end the call as soon as possible.


Safety equipment has proven to be highly effective in reducing the number of drowning where children are concerned. Pool covers and alarms should be installed and used at all times while you are not in the pool.


Once you have taken all the necessary precautionary measures, you should consider learning CPR and make sure that you have emergency flotation devices in good shape and close at hand when your children are swimming. Emergency telephone numbers should be posted on all telephones.


After your children have finished swimming for the day, be sure to put away all pool toys and flotation devices to keep children from trying to retrieve them and possibly falling in.


The most important precaution that you can take when you are teaching kids to swim is to supervise them at all times. Even if you are at a barbeque or party, make sure that at least one adult is left in charge of watching all children in the swimming pool. You should never assume that just because your child has a flotation device that he or she will be safe. The only true way to ensure your child's safety while swimming is to keep an eye on him or her. Be sure to always talk with your children about water safety even when they are not in the pool.


Teaching water safety at a young age is an excellent way to avoid potential accidents.


Teaching your children to swim can be a very exciting and frightening experience. Just ensure that you have followed all safety precautions and that your children know that they are only allowed to be in the pool when an adult is present. Safety precautions allow you to enjoy your swimming pool without the worries of emergencies happening.


Steve Hill is a webmaster from Birmingham, he has interests in a number of websites including:
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