Odds + Ends
We’ve got all your odds and ends covered here at Kortni Jeane - and not just for water adventures! What was once known as our Extras tab is now separated into six sections that are...
Water Safety
Summer time means swimming in our KJ swimmers all day, everyday with our entire crew. And like us, your minis LOVE the water. Toddlers are especially curious, eager to explore their surroundings, and are naturally drawn to the water. I mean we get it! Water is shiny, makes fun splashes, and can even make things float! But water represents a constant and real threat to our minis. Accidental drowning is a leading cause of death in children ages 1-4 and it can happen quickly and quietly.
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We want everyone young and old to have fun in the water, but not at the expense of their safety. When it comes to littles and water safety, drowning prevention techniques must be multifaceted: one thing won’t be enough! Swim lessons, supervision, swimming skills, floaties {used appropriately}, fences, durable pool covers, and safety alarms are all important parts of the equation. So today we’re coming at you with water safety tips and research to help keep your minis safe in and around the water.
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TEACH YOUR LITTLES
The first and best thing you can do is to teach your little ones respect for the water. Teach them that water can be fun, but it can also be dangerous. Like teaching your minis about knives or scissors - both important tools when used appropriately - teach your children about water, both good and bad. Be honest with them but also mindful of their age and understanding. Of course we don’t want our kids to be afraid of the water as it is lots of fun, but raise them to understand that we must always be safe around and in the water.
AROUND THE POOL
Make sure you always have constant supervision of children in or around the pool. All parents and caregivers must be vigilant no matter swimming capabilities or whether it’s time to swim or not. Be mindful of the following:
➡ Give them your undivided attention. Avoid doing anything that would make it hard to stay focused, such as working on a computer, using your cell phone, or doing yard work.
➡ When supervising inexperienced swimmers, they should never be more than an arms-length away.
➡ Never leave pool toys or floats in or around the pool: children will be naturally tempted to reach into the pool to grab a toy.
➡ Install a pool fence: baby proof with a fence that is at least 4ft high, non-climbable, and has a self-latching/self-closing gate. Make sure this gate is locked at all times.
➡ Add alarms to doors leading to the patio and even alarms near the pool. There are alarms available that connect to your phone or set off loud bells within your home.
➡ Invest in a durable pool cover that will keep kids out of the water. Cover Care and All-Safe offer great options with your children’s safety in mind.
➡ Can’t find your child? Always check the pool FIRST. It only takes seconds for a child to drown, which means every moment matters.
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NON-SWIM TIME
The biggest drowning threat facing us and our littles is unexpected, unsupervised access to water during non-swim times: swimming pools, hot tubs + spas, bathtubs, ponds, fountains, and standing water in homes, such as coolers or water bowls for pets.
Around Your House:
➡ Install locks on toilets: littles are top-heavy and it only takes a bit of water.
➡ Never leave a baby alone in the tub...not even for a second: It’s better to carry a dripping wet baby through the house than leaving them alone.
➡ Block unsupervised access to bathrooms: bathrooms are risky places for toddlers in general so keep them closed when not in use.
➡ Empty ALL containers (buckets, coolers, kiddie pools, bathtubs, etc.) immediately after use and turn them upside down to prevent unintentional water collection.
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While at Gatherings:
➡ Check for water dangers in homes where you visit
➡ While kids are swimming have a designated “water watcher.”
➡ Alternate “water watchers” every 15 minutes: This ensures everyone gets to socialize, but kids are being actively monitored too. We’ve heard of people having a hat or item for the “water watcher” so it’s obvious to everyone who’s on duty!
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FLOATATION DEVICES
While Splashers and other flotation devices are great for helping your littles feel comfortable and confident in the water, they are no replacement for basic water safety + skills. When used appropriately, they are fun and useful. Here are things to keep in mind when using floatation devices:
➡Get in the pool and be with your child in the water. This will help them understand that nobody should swim alone, no matter how old they are, and how important it is to swim with adult supervision.
➡ Have kids spend time swimming without devices + with you so they can learn what it feels like to swim without it: practice floating and kicking, teach them about their own buoyancy, safely help them see what happens when they’re not being held up in the water.
➡ Our Splashers have safety buckles so they can’t take them off themselves. Keep them secured in their Splasher as long as you’re in or around the pool so they don’t jump in without it.
➡ Make sure you have the right flotation device for the right activity. Boating or recreational activities require coast guard certified floatation devices. While Splashers and other floaties work best at pools, calm beaches, etc.
SWIM LESSONS
Invest in swim lessons as soon as your child is ready. Basic swimming skills + water safety are powerful tools to keep our kids safe. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says that “formal swimming lessons for children ages 1-4 can reduce the overall risk of childhood drowning” but no type of swim lessons have been proven more effective than others. Deciding when to start should be based on how your child feels around water, their emotional maturity, physical/development abilities, and comfortability. The important part is to teach your kids how to float on their backs, kick their legs, etc. And as a friendly reminder, swim lessons do not “drown proof” your children. All parents and caregivers must be vigilant no matter their child’s swimming capabilities.
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CPR TRAINING
When there is trouble, you need to be ready to respond. Look into CPR training for you and all caregivers. If all other preventative measures fail, this type of training may be the very thing that saves your child’s life. Water safety is a family affair!
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WE’RE IN THIS TOGETHER
We hope we can continue as a community to encourage and remind one another of water safety for children and keep such an important subject as a focus here at Kortni Jeane. We want to do our part to create awareness to parents on proper water safety for our children. Splashers are here to help your mini’s gain confidence in the water but they need YOU to stay safe. Thank you for being here and stay safe for all your fun water adventures!
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xoxo
Kortni + Team
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RESOURCES:
- Tags: Swimming In Swimmers
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