The summer sun provides the perfect atmosphere for a day at the swimming pool or beach. However, swimming can be dangerous, even for a child who knows how to swim. Joseph Gunn, MD, pediatric emergency medicine physician on staff at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, recommends the following tips to keep your child safe.
- Learn CPR. Dr. Gunn encourages all parents to learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), especially if they own a private swimming pool.
- Be aware of the skill level of all children you are watching. Knowing the skill level of each child in the water will allow you to judge whether certain activities, such as swimming in the deep end or using the diving board, are safe.
- Exercise extra caution in hotel pools. Hotel pools can be especially dangerous. Generally no lifeguards are present, pools are accessible through the hallways, and they are usually over-crowded, making it difficult to keep an eye on your child.
- Use constant supervision. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends “touch supervision,” where children are always within reach of an adult while swimming. Keep a watchful eye, especially during social gatherings when adults may be distracted.
“Supervision is really the key to keeping children safe,” says Dr. Gunn. “There is a misconception that a child in distress will thrash around and splash, catching an adult’s attention. However, in reality, there may be no warning signs, so parents need to be focused solely on their child while he or she is in the water.”
For more information about water safety and our CPR class, visit StLouisChildrens.org.