It is a very sad and scary fact, but did you know that one of the leading causes of death in children ages 1 to 4 is drowning? It is not something any parent likes to think about, but we must. Most people would assume that drownings happen in pools or at beaches, but the truth is, it can happen anywhere, even in your own bathroom. While we must always be vigilant in watching our children near water, the summer brings this threat up a notch as we all head to the backyard pool or local beach. Here are some tips to help you enjoy your summer and keep your kiddos safe.
Teach your child to swim!
Sign them up for a local class and let the professionals teach them the proper way to swim. Many cities have a recreation centre where lessons run all year long, so there is sure to be something that fits your schedule. My kids have been taking lessons for years and love it. Swimming instruction will also include lessons on safety, which is vital. You get the added bonus of your child getting some exercise as the same time!
Put First Aid First
While your child is learning how to swim, parents should be learning about first aid. Many programs are offered to teach you basic lifesaving skills that will come in handy if there is ever an emergency. At the very least, you will learn to react calmly and correctly, giving extra time for the professionals to arrive. Make an event of your first aid training and get the whole family involved.
Lifejackets Save Lives
A lifejacket may appear to be an easy thing to put on, but that is not the case. They are bulky and often have extra straps, especially for little children. This is often why people don’t even wear them in the first place. Practice putting on a lifejacket, emphasizing to your little ones how they can save your life. Once in the water, show your child how the lifejacket keeps you afloat and will even turn you onto your back, keeping your head above the water. I found that practicing using a lifejacket took some of the fear out of it for my kiddos.
To Skinny Dip or Not
Equally as important as a lifejacket, wearing the right swimwear can save lives. As we all know, when material gets wet, it sinks. Most swimsuits are made from lightweight polyester and/or nylon fabrics, which allows you to move and stay covered, but it also means less to drag you down. Ever try swimming in pants or even a t-shirt? Even those can become waterlogged. Children also need to wear the correct swimwear and for babies and toddlers that means a swim diaper. Huggies Little Swimmers are an excellent idea! Made with a unique absorbent material that doesn’t swell in the water means your kiddos can splash about with no problem.
Backyard Safety
If you have a pool in your backyard always make sure it is properly fenced in. Install a gate that is both self-closing and self-latching, for added security. Remind your family NOT to put any toys, chairs or containers near the fence, as this can be used to climb over it. Talk to your kids about why the fence and locks are in place and then have them tell you why they think it is so important. Quizzing them will help them remember!
Use your pool cover properly and after every single swim! Yes, it is a pain to put back on, but that added layer is a buffer between a child or animal that falls in the pool and the water. It will buy time to get them out.
Keep your safety equipment handy and make sure everyone knows how to use it. Having a life-ring on the fence, so it is in plain view, is ideal and everyone, even guests, will see it. There should also be a first aid kit in the home.
Life is a Beach
Most people will visit a beach this summer and while it looks like lots of fun, being unprepared is dangerous. While it is a good idea to remember your sunscreen and wear a hat, it is even more important to be aware of water safety. Before you even put a toe in, inquire about the water. Is there an undertow? How deep does it get? Are there any drop-offs? Make sure there is a lifeguard on duty and never be more than an arm’s length away from your child, even if they have a safety device like arm floaties or an inner tube.
The Giveaway
Summer is meant to be spent in the water and to help us out Huggies wants to give a lucky MapleMouseMama reader a sweet Huggies Little Swimmers prize pack!
The prize includes 1 pack of Huggies Little Swimmers, 1 Finding Dory Clutch n’ Clean Wipes and 1 Huggies Little Swimmers Beach Ball! To be eligible to win just complete the Rafflecopter below with your qualifying answers. This giveaway is open to residents of Canada and the US, ages 18 and older. Make sure you read our giveaway policies before entering please. This giveaway ends on August 10th at 11:59pm. Remember, the more entries you complete the greater your chances are of winning!! Good luck!
Do you like to swim? Are you a pool person or prefer to soak up the rays on the beach?
FT&PD
Suz
**For more fabulous prizes check out our Giveaways and Reviews page!!
kathy downey says
I live by the Ocean so we love to soak up the rays on the beach.
Cheryl says
I’m a pool person for sure
Leslie Crosbie says
I love the beach!! Manitoba has tons of beautiful beaches, makes for a great summer!
Flo Ferrey says
I love the water, either a pool or the beach and I’m happy.
Jennifer P. says
Our whole family loves swimming! Although if the water is not warm I prefer to soak up the sun on the beach while they swim. But mostly we all swim (unless the waves are big if we are the ocean, then I also stay on the beach with my youngest since she is afraid of waves; she’s still tiny so hopefully she will get braver when she grows up, but for now I can see how even just the sound is scary for her!).
Jeannie says
I love the beach! My little guy loves splashing in the water.
michelle matta says
I like a nice clean, emptyish pool. A backyard pool at a friends is my favourite. Beaches are nice, but I like having a house to go in and out of.
Erika p says
I love a nice warm pool.
KENNETH OHL says
I’m a pool person for sure love it
Flojean Ferrey says
Love the picture you have of William their!
Lynda Cook says
I’m not one for the beach or pool, but my grandkids love the beach, they are there almost everyday with their mom!!
Jenny says
I love swimming in the pool
Dianne G. says
I prefer a beach to a pool now but as a child I almost lived at the swimming pool in our town.
tammy ta says
I like to swim in the pool best-with my kids
Carole Dube says
I love the pool and the beach! I don’t like to soak up the sun that much so I try to find a shady spot, but I spend most of the time in the water when at the beach!
Jonnie says
I am not a swimmer (never learned how!) but all my kids and my husband are huge swimmers. They go to the local pool almost daily during the summer.
Nicole B says
Love to swim! So do my kids. They are such little fish!
Rosanne Robinson says
I definitely prefer to stroll along a beach, definitely not a pool fan.
Sharron says
Beach
ivy pluchinsky says
Since I live by a bunch of lakes I am going to say that I am a beach person, though i like pools too.
ERIN MCSWEENEY says
TOTALLY A POOL PERSON…LOVE THE WATER
Silvia D says
love to swim..pool, beach, lakes…
Cheryl says
I love to swim!! More of a pool person and try and find some shade when I can! 🙂
Linda H says
I prefer the pool but a beach is nice too.
Jennifer L. says
I like to go in the water to cool off on a hot day, but the beach is more my thing.
Wanda Bergman says
I can’t swim but love to lay on the beach in the sun.
Monique L.S. says
I love to swim, but enjoying sitting out and soaking up the sun as well.
Sarah says
I love to swim! I prefer the beach over a pool, but either one is great really. I find the water so relaxing.
Nate Fuller says
I’m more of a pool swimmer than a beach swimmer!
Nancy Parsons says
I am both. As long as the water is warm enough, I am in.
janine a says
i love swimming, I used to be a big beach person but now I would much rather swim in our pool with the family and avoid the crowds.
Marlene V says
I like to soak up the rays but like to go into the water to cool off when I get too warm!
SweetPanda says
I am more a pool person
sabina Edwards says
I’m scared of water but the last place we went swimming was the lake. I think if I could conquer the fear I’d be fine with anyplace with water lol
Lesley F says
I prefer swimming in a pool
Lynn g says
Beach is the best
steph says
I loveeeee laying by the pool! I like the beach too but if I had to choose definitely pool
latanya says
I am a pool person
Mary Warner says
Pool Person from way back.
Cindy Peterson says
I am more of a beach bunny than poll porpoise. I like pools but the beach has sand, shells, tide pools, beach combing, and you can even catch your own dinner.
Aarone Mawdsley says
yes i like to swim
lynn clayton says
we are beach people
Julie bolduc says
I am a pool person
Lisa bolduc says
Pool person. We have a condo pool so we are pretty much in it daily
Tara says
Definitely prefer that water. I have taken my 4 month old to the beach, lake and a few pools already, he loves the water 🙂
Julie R says
We love both beach and pool, but go to the beach more often.
brittany marie thompson says
Yes, I love to swim and prefer the beach.
Nicky says
I love to swim, and love both the pool and the beach!
Regine Karpel says
Pool.
http://www.rsrue.blogspot.com
MapleMouseMama says
Thanks Regine! Make sure you link up your site to our #BloggersFete Blog Linky, which opens today. We have some really fabulous prizes!
https://maplemousemama.com/time-bloggersfete-2016-weve-got-prizes-events-entertainment-galore/#
AmyM says
We love swimming at our local pool in the city, and the beach up in Muskoka!
Holly MacRitchie says
I love to swim! I live super close to the beach, but actually prefer the pool! I like to see the bottom!
Stephanie LaPlante says
I much rather sunbathe on a beach but swimming is a great way to cool off!
Joni W says
I’ve never been a water/beach person. I prefer gardening.
Faye Gates says
I love to swim! My sister has a pool, and we live there all summer.
Melanie Borhi says
personally i love to swim. and play in the pool. its awesome excercise and great bonding time with me and my son
Suzi A says
Floating around the water is fun! You get water and rays.
Robyn Bellefleur says
I enjoy swimming at the pool, but the beach is the best place for fun in the sun!
Kristy R says
We have a pool so that is my preference! But a day at the beach is nice too.
Carey Hurst says
I love to swim . To actually swim I need a pool , but I need the beach and the sand and sun to soak up viatmin D and the ions needed to replenish myself
Caryn Coates says
I love Swimming and so do my kids. We live just off the Georgian Bay so I take them swimming a few times a week:)
Leslie says
I love swimming anywhere and everywhere! Now I get to see my kids enjoy swimming as much as me!
Jessica eapen says
I love swimming; I”m a total pool person!
Vanessa Dugas says
As opposed to swimming specifically I love lounging in a pool or laying on a beach. However I have been very excited to get my 5 month old daughter into the pool (although so far she is like mom and it has been too cold lol).
Kelley Moore says
I’m a pool person not alot of nice beaches here
Margaret H says
I love to float in the pool…not necessarily swim….! Thanks for the contest…..
Juliee Fitze says
I’m a pool person , love to be in there all day.
Sarah at Journeys of The Zoo says
I love to swim. My kids are currently taking lessons as I consider it a life skill. Great tips, thanks for sharing.
Besos, Sarah
Journeys of The Zoo
lori butler says
i actually cannot swim, i always have to go with someone who can so kids can enjoy the water
Erika letson says
I love to swim and I am definitely a pool person! Thank you for the giveaway!
LeAnn Harbert says
I love to swim, mostly at the lake near my house.
Victoria K says
I love swimming, love the pool, hate sand. I use to be on the swim team and a lifeguard.
Betty S says
I love to swim, but admit I am not a strong swimmer. I made sure my kids were strong swimmers
Jessica Lawrence says
I prefer the pool.
nicolthepickle (Nicole Graham) says
I like the beach.
Catherine says
Yes love to swim so definitely a pool person!
Shelby Thomas says
I prefer the pool because it’s not salty … Well sometimes it is if it is a salt wate pool
Heather Howard says
We had a pool party last Saturday at our local pool…surprisingly I didn’t break the diving board. ? I’m definitely a water lover.
Susan Spidle says
rays on the beach are best
Ellen Robinson says
Give me a pool or a beach and I will be happy
Brandee H says
I am a pool person. Although I grew up on a lake and was always in one, I never go in the water these days. But love to swim in a pool now that I am older.
josephine evans says
we are like fish, love the water!
Ashleigh swerdfeger says
It doesn’t matter. I love water regardless.
ChristinE D says
Beach! Always! Need the sand between my toes!
liz lew says
Pool person since I dislike the sand