Water Safety for Kids

Summer is bearing down and the swimming pool is almost swimmable. Not counting the grandkids. They've been swimming in our pool since the middle of April. Me, my wife, and every other adult that visits our home is waiting on that magic 85 degree water temperature. Kids are indestructable. Almost. Our granddaughter is coming to visit in about a week. She's not quite two years old and doesn't know how to swim...yet. Her parents and my wife and I will keep her safe. We are all big believers in water safety for kids, but statistics show that most accidents happen while the kids are being supervised by the parents.

A small child can fall in the pool and possibly drown in less time that it takes to answer the phone. All parents know how quickly children can disappear, even when it seems as if they're right underfoot. At 23 months old, our granddaughter can hide behind the dog. As much as we are looking forward to her visit, we are experiencing a little anxiousness at keeping her out of harm's way. We don't have any safety features around our pool, because it's usually just my wife and I swimming or just lounging around our pool deck. Swimming pool safety is not something that comes to mind when it's just us. The oldest grandkids, eight and ten, can swim like fish. Our only supervision over them involves separating them occasionally when an argument(?) gets to loud.

I've looked at a lot of material covering swimming pool safety without actually buying anything. Swimming pool alarms are a terrific way to protect the little one, but the downside is...when the alarm sounds off, something has happened. Pool fences prevent access to the pool by small children, but by the time they start first grade they'll figure out a way to get past the fence. Kids are creative that way. Pool covers won't keep the kid out of the pool, but it will keep 'em out of the water...along with everyone else.

Personally, I still like the swimming pool safety alarm idea even though it's main function is to let you know that your child has fallen into the water. The pool fence enclosing the pool will prevent toddlers from getting to close to the water, but they're restrictive. The oldest grandkids would pitch a fit about a pool cover, then turn it into a trampoline.

For my own peace of mind, I gotta go with a pool alarm. Even if she gets out of sight, we'll know the instant she falls into the water. During her visit, swimming pool safety is gonna be at the top of the priority list.