Hidden Dangers at the Swimming Pool
Long gone are the days of unsupervised children splashing around in the pool. Pools haven’t become more dangerous, but parents, lifeguards, and cities have become more cautious. Summertime is in full swing, so before you send your kiddos off to the local pool, educate them on some of the hidden dangers that may be present.
First things first…
Before we delve into the hidden pool dangers, one main concern at the pool is drowning. It’s certainly not an unknown danger, but it is sometimes unacknowledged. According to the CDC, drowning is a leading cause of injury deaths among children. When planning for pool days, it’s crucial that children know their limits and understand the gravity of drowning accidents.
If your little ones are under the age of 6, or if they are inexperienced swimmers, make sure they have floaties or life jackets on at all times. You’ll also improve your chances by sticking to pools where a lifeguard (or some other supervisor) is on duty.
1. Running by the Pool
Pool games are a blast, but it is advised that the games stay inside the pool. Often times, the concrete surrounding the pool is wet and slippery — putting children at risk of falling.
2. Kiddie Pools
Although kiddie pools are great for young ones, they’re also great for harboring bacteria. Notoriously small, shallow, and warm, these pools collect bacteria with no mechanism for rinsing it out. It’s always a good idea to inspect these pools for abnormal looking debris, or you could inquire about whether or not they are chlorine-filled.
3. Ladders
Similar to the caution associated with running by the pool, ladders and other pool railings pose a unique danger to active kids. It’s no secret that a fall onto a pool ladder would cause an injury, so be cautious when kids get too close to this architecture of the pool.
4. Lounge Chairs
If they’re not all taken by tanners, lounge chairs look like fun for the pool. It’s not uncommon to see kids trying to drag them into the pool or play with them outside of the water. If kids are playing around on the lounge chairs on the slippery cement, the same threat of slipping and falling comes back. And of course, dragging these chairs into the pool is an absolute no-go, as it could result in injuries of kids getting pinned under, drowning, or even having the chair fall on them.
5. Heat Exhaustion
Most pools are cool, but if anyone spends too much time in the hot sun, heat exhaustion is a possibility. Any heat-related illness, known to most as hypothermia, can lead to an array of unfavorable symptoms, ranging from headaches to heat strokes. For this reason and many more, it’s always a good idea to have cold water readily on hand. Bonus points if you supply an electrolyte-packed drink in addition to the water!
Pool days don’t need to be scary. In fact, they’re really fun! As long as you’re educated on what could go wrong, you’ll have a better chance of preventing mishaps or accidents.
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