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We all love treks to foreign shores with our nearest and dearest, but, when it comes to the little ones, you can never be too safe. Pools and oceans are a particularly hazardous danger, with the tranquil waters posing far more of a threat than you would naturally imagine.
With figures showing a whopping 350 children under the age of five drown in pools every year in the US alone, this unseen threat poses as one of the deadliest risks to young families.
Today, we’re going to look at some of the top tips when it comes to ensuring safety for toddlers around water when they head abroad. Pay heed to these suggestions, as they could safe a wee one’s life someday.
1. Eyes on the prize
An obvious point to raise; but keeping an eye on your children at all times is the best way to ensure they aren’t getting themselves into a spot of bother.
This is a general rule of thumb as a young parent, regardless of the situation, but when the extreme dangers of water are also brought into play, it becomes all the more prevalent.
It doesn’t matter how far they are from the sea or pool, make sure either you or your partner has a good idea of where your toddler is at all times while they play.
2. Monitor depths
While this is a little harder (albeit not impossible) to keep on top of in the sea, it certainly is the case you should be keeping a constant vigilance when it comes to the depth or shallowness of water your child is swimming in.
If they’re not a confident swimmer – which most toddlers aren’t – you’ll do well to instruct them to steer clear of the deeper end of the pool.
Similarly, if they enjoy diving into the water, make sure they do it at a level where there’s enough depth to support their momentum. Crashing down into the shallow end of the water could result in disaster.
3. Sun Cream
It’s easily overlooked, given the immediate presence of the water itself, but keeping your kids lathered up is crucial to ensuring their safety.
Naturally, both young and old alike are prone to ditching their clothes and opting for swimsuits when around the poolside – which lends itself to getting burned. In hotter climates, this is a particular risk.
What’s more, in the water a lot of sunscreens are going to wash off, and even water-resistant sunscreen only has a lifespan of roughly 40 to 80 minutes. Keep your kids protected at all times, with regular hourly coats.
4. Armbands
There are plenty of amazing swimming aids out there to support your kids, but armbands have stood above the crowd as a consistent and reliable option for generations.
These flotation devices are fitted around the arms, and can be blown up fairly simply with air. They’ll ensure your kid stays afloat at all times and are brightly coloured – which makes keeping track of where they are even easier.
They’re cheap to buy and will generally last for years. Well worth the investment for any parent worrying about the well-being of their child.
5. Teach the basics
Your kids deserve more credit than people give them. Toddlers aren’t incapable of learning, so if you sternly teach them the rules there’s a very good chance they’ll listen to you.
While they aren’t going to be able to remember absolutely everything you tell them, even kids aged under four are capable of following basic instructions.
Stuff like “no running” and “no diving” will sink in quickly enough – boosting the chances of them staying safe near wet surfaces.
These are five of the most important tips when it comes to ensuring your little ones aren’t in any danger when you’re next abroad and around the water. Ensure to follow them and you’ll avoid disaster on your next trip.
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