| With summer, kids spend plenty of time outside | | | | are not enough protection. No matter what kind of |
| enjoying the fresh air and freedom. One of the most | | | | flotation device your child is using, it is no substitution |
| popular summer activities is swimming, either in a lake, | | | | for having an adult nearby. |
| at the beach, or in a pool. | | | | B Is For Barriers |
| Whether your pool is the neighborhood waterhole for | | | | When setting up the pool, create layers of protection. |
| the local kids or you have a neighbor who shares their | | | | The more layers of security the child has to go |
| pool with your children, you have to know the ABCs of | | | | through, the more time you have to stop the child from |
| pool safety. Even if you don't have kids but have a lot | | | | doing something dangerous. |
| of kids in your neighborhood and a pool, being aware | | | | A fence around any pool is a must. The fence should |
| of the dangers is a must. | | | | be at least 48 inches high and have a self-closing and |
| A Is For Adult Supervision | | | | self-latching gate. Install locks on all windows, doors and |
| Tragically, year after year, children are drowning | | | | gates leading to or around the pool area. It would help |
| victims in pools. Don't fool yourself into thinking that you | | | | to put an alarm on any doors that lead from the house |
| can leave your kids for a second to answer the phone | | | | to the pool area to alert you if you're in another part of |
| or to run inside for some more lemonade. Kids are | | | | the house. It may sound extreme, but drowning isn't a |
| quick, and it takes less than a second for one of them | | | | reversible situation. |
| to get into serious trouble. | | | | Check for gaps in the fence that might be large |
| Kids are also a lot smarter than some parents give | | | | enough for a child to squeeze through and move any |
| them credit for. As soon as your back is turned, | | | | chairs, tables or benches far enough away so the |
| children will find a way to get what they want, even if | | | | children don't use them to climb over the fence. You |
| it's not in their best interest. Keep children in sight when | | | | should also have a clear view from the house to the |
| they're playing around water. It doesn't matter how | | | | pool. |
| deep the water is; very young children have been | | | | C Is For Classes |
| known to drown in less than a foot of water. | | | | Take a course on CPR. No matter how careful you |
| If you're having a party, put the other adults on | | | | are and the numbers of precautions put into place, |
| lifeguard duty, too. The more eyes the better. Make | | | | accidents still happen. Knowing CPR could save the life |
| sure everyone knows where the phones are in case | | | | of your child, or even another adult. |
| they have to call 911. Whether it's a wading pool, | | | | Enrolling your child in a swimming class is another good |
| above-ground pool, or a luxury in-ground swimming | | | | idea. There are classes for all ages and levels of |
| pool, constant adult supervision is a must. | | | | experience. A professional might be able to teach your |
| Make sure that younger children have proper flotation | | | | child something you might not have thought of. |
| devices such as life jackets. Novelty pool toys like | | | | If you remember your pool safety ABCs, both you and |
| inflatable rafts and inner tubes are not proper safety | | | | your child will have a much more enjoyable summer - |
| devices. They're for fun alone. Even the floaties you | | | | with many more to come! |
| put on a toddler's arms to help the child learn to swim | | | | |