How to Design a Plan to Teach a Young Child Not to Go Near the Family's Swimming Pool Alone

Never let your children swim alone.

A swimming pool is a high-risk area for a young child. In-ground and portable pools pose a danger and kids can drown even in shallow water. "We need to focus on primary prevention. Swimming lessons might prevent drowning, but they don’t make children drown-proof,” states Gary Smith, M.D., director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital located in Columbus, Ohio. Proper planning and communication with your children will help them learn to avoid the pool area.

Instructions

1. Clean the pool and surrounding area of toys and cleaning equipment when it's not in use. Don't leave the swimming area looking like a playground.

2. Talk to your child about the dangers of a swimming pool and forbid them to enter the area alone. Walk them around the pool, pointing out the danger areas, such as pipes and drains, to help them develop the idea that it is not just another toy.

3. Keep the message consistent. If your child is visiting friends who have a pool, talk to the parents to ensure the same message of safety is being passed on. Don't give your child a reason to doubt the importance of avoiding the pool when not in the company of an adult.

4. Use a pool cover. Covering the pool is a not only a solid deterrent, but a safety precaution as well. Help your child get the message that the pool is only available when you decide to pull the cover off.

5. Train your little one to understand that you are the authority on pool privileges. Get them used to the idea that they need to talk to you first before being able to swim. If they understand that you are the first step in the process, it may help them to avoid the area entirely without getting your approval.

Tips & Warnings

• Prepare for emergencies. Learn CPR and have a telephone handy at all times. It's not possible to anticipate every situation and being ready at a moment's notice may save your child's life. Consider fencing or a barrier that prevents your young one from accessing the pool. Leave ladders and other means of entry unhooked and stored safely. Become a proficient swimmer and teach your child how to swim as well. Remove the water from kiddie pools and store them in a safe place when not in use. Always be present during swim time. Never leave the pool area unsupervised.

References

• "Consumer Reports"; Keeping Kids Safe Around Pools; Merri Rosenberg; July 2001
• On Safety; Let's Move Safely; Chairman Tenenbaum; May 2011