Refreshing Safety: Kiddie Pools and You
As we’ve frequently mentioned in the past few months, COVID-19 has radically changed our lives. Even though public pools are beginning to reopen, many people will not have access to a swimming pool this summer. That’s where kiddie pools come in. According to retailers across the nation, pool sales are skyrocketing. This includes kiddie pools. These small plastic and rubber wonders have been a miracle for many families without full pools.
These are a great way to cool off, but we shouldn’t ignore the potential safety concerns. With this in mind, let's take a moment to remind parents of the danger of kiddie pools.
Don't Drop Your Guard Around Kiddie Pools
When it comes to kiddie pools, parents should always be aware of the drowning danger that these inflatable pools pose. After all, drowning is one of the most common causes of death for young children in the United States.
According to the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, drowning can happen in as little as 20-60 seconds. Drowning doesn’t always look the way people expect. There isn't always screaming or flailing like in the movies. In fact, drowning is fast and often silent.
To make matters worse, people should not be lulled into a false sense of security by kiddie pools. Even though they don’t appear to contain that much water, it is more than enough to drown a child. In a nutshell, if there is enough water to cover the nose and mouth of a little one, there is enough to kill them. That can be as little as a few inches of water, which is exactly what you would find in a kiddie pool. To combat this danger, parents should keep a close eye on their children while they are playing in kiddie pools.
Active supervision is critical in these situations. If kids are in the water, a focused adult should be sitting close by to carefully supervise them. A dedicated supervisor should not be distracted by a phone, book or even a conversation. Kids must be watched at all times.
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Kiddie pools are fun, but when it’s time to head inside, it’s time to drain the water. A full kiddie pool is a recipe for disaster. All the dangers of drowning still exist, even when no one is actively using the pool. Kids can become tempted to play in the pool when no one is around and easily get themselves into mischief.
To prevent this issue, deflate and store the kiddie pool when you’re done using it. This can help to eliminate temptation. It may seem like a hassle to reinflate and refill the kiddie pool every time you want to use it, but it is an important step. When not in use, kiddie pools should be stowed away from prying fingers and eyes. Safety should always come first.
Drainage is Key
Besides watching kids in the pool, we need to talk about the importance of draining the pool. That’s right, let’s talk drainage. [caption id="attachment_74354" align="aligncenter" width="500"] (Sorry, we had to.)[/caption]
Kiddie pools are fun, but when it’s time to head inside, it’s time to drain the water. A full kiddie pool is a recipe for disaster. All the dangers of drowning still exist, even when no one is actively using the pool. Kids can become tempted to play in the pool when no one is around and easily get themselves into mischief.
To prevent this issue, deflate and store the kiddie pool when you’re done using it. This can help to eliminate temptation. It may seem like a hassle to reinflate and refill the kiddie pool every time you want to use it, but it is an important step. When not in use, kiddie pools should be stowed away from prying fingers and eyes. Safety should always come first.
