Pool Safety Tips for Kids

You’ve finally finished installing your new swimming pool. Just like the kids, you can’t wait to jump in. But, before you show off that legendary cannonball from high school, take the time to go over some safety rules with the whole family, especially the children. To help you get started, here are some pool safety tips for kids to ensure everyone gets to enjoy your new above-ground pool this summer!

1. Talk it Out

Whether you’re dealing with toddlers or teenagers, talk about what pool safety is and what it means to your family. A few rules you can talk about are:

Tagging:

If you and another adult are watching kids swim, tag a specific person to be responsible for a specific child. If you’re in charge of a group but need to step away, tag someone else to keep an eye out. This means there’s no confusion as to who is supposed to be supervising.

Asking:

Make sure it is understood that children need to ask permission before going swimming, or at the very least tell an adult that they are going for a dip.

Looking:

If you or your older kids are babysitting and a small child goes missing, check the pool first.
Stepping – Talk to the family about using the safety rails on the steps when climbing in and out of the pool, and putting the steps away if possible when they’re done for the day.

2. Learn to Swim

Is there anyone in your family who doesn’t know how to swim? Now’s the perfect time! Whether you’d like to teach them yourself or find a certified class, giving the gift of swimming will open up doors to adventure for the rest of their lives. You can even find classes for babies as young as 6 months old.

3. Get Certified

Take a CPR class. You can usually ask your local civic center or school for information on classes and instructors. If it takes a few weeks, try to find online videos for instruction and a basic understanding while you wait for a class to start. This is another valuable lifetime skill, just like swimming.

Our pool professionals at Bonnie & Clyde’s take water safety just as seriously as you do. Feel free to contact us with any questions or for additional pool safety tips for kids!