Water Safety Tips For Infants And Toddlers by Dr. Chetan Ginigeri

A bucket full of water, a swimming pool, a bathtub with water, any of these can attract toddlers and small kids who will want to go and explore and play with the water. It is important for parents to remember that their little ones hate supervision and will look for every chance to escape monitoring. Parents, on their part, must be vigilant and take every measure to ensure that their home and all water storage containers must be secure. Never allow toddlers and small children to move around or enter a swimming pool without supervision.

Top 3 Water Safety Tips For Infants and Toddlers

Now that we know the importance of maintaining water safety with infants and toddlers, let us discuss some water safety tips to keep your infants and toddlers safe when around water.

1. Supervision

Infants and toddlers are always on the move and are too small to understand what is safe for them. As parents and guardians, it is our duty to be alert and cautious with kids as the slightest mistake can lead them to trouble. Supervision always is a must, and we cannot take anything for granted. Drowning happens when we least expect it, so it’s best to be alert when toddlers are near water. Some points to remember:

• The baby should be only on the one hand, distance away.
• Eliminate distraction while supervising your baby.
• Never drink alcohol while supervising your baby.

For all types of water resources, the safety tabs are different, so let us have a look and see what all are they and their benefits.

2. Gates, Fences, And Covers

A good way to secure areas from your little ones is to install gates, fences, and covers. Each of these comes with safety measurements to provide the best protection for your little ones. Let’s go through them.

• The height of the fences needs to be 4 feet (130 centimetres). The fence should be free of any type of gap or extension. Or else, your baby could use to get over, under, or through the fence.
• The planks should not exceed 4 inches else the toddler can evade easily.
• In the case of a chain link, the opening cannot be more than 50 millimetres.
• It should have automatic gates, and the toddles should not be able to reach or access the latch.
• If your pool has a cover, take it out before swimming time. Also, never permit your little one to walk on the pool cover. There is a high risk of fall through and getting trapped below.

3. Equipment

Apart from having protective gates and fencing, you can also buy and keep safety equipment that can keep your baby and toddler safe when entering the water. Such safety equipment includes

• Inflatable vests
• Devices like water wings
• Power swimmer system that has foam plates that assist in swimming
• Infant swim shoes
• Jumper deluxe life jackets that are designed for the kids who are beginners
• Floatation belts, etc

Also, you should keep the following items easily accessible at your reach.

• First aid kit
• Rescue equipment
• Telephone with the clearly marked emergency numbers

[Read : First Aid Kit For Babies – Why Do You Need it and How to Make it]

Safety Tips For Swimming

We all love swimming irrespective of our age. Babies especially love to splash and play when they are in the water. There are certain do’s and don’ts that you should teach kids of all ages to be secure and safe.  Some of the key points to remember while swimming are

• The toddlers should never push others in the pool.
• Diving is dangerous in places where it is unmarked
• It is mandatory to leave the pool if they experience thunder and lightning while they are in the pool.
• A parent or guardian should be present at all times for the supervision of kids.
• Never rely on flotation devices or tubes for the baby’s safety.
• Keep emergency numbers handy and keep the phone at your disposal.
• Learn to administer CPR if required.
• Be safe when near water, even after the swimming session is over. Don’t let the toddlers be alone as they might get trapped under a pool cover if they try to walk over it.
• Keep the pool gates locked.

[Read : 8 Life-Saving Tips To Ensure Water Safety For Your Baby]

Water Safety And Babies

The biggest hazard that infants and toddlers face is that of drowning, apart from the diseases that stem from the contaminated water. Pool water can contain chemicals and impurities if proper hygiene is not maintained, and this can lead to diseases. It is thus important to take the following measures to ensure hygiene and water safety for babies and toddlers as they are very small and delicate. A few of the measures are as below:

• Once the baby is done playing with water, always ensure to wash them with a gentle wash and a shampoo to clear off all impurities from the skin and the hair.
• Keep the ears of the baby dry so that no water enters the ear leading to infection later.
• Babies are very delicate, so they tend to lose heat from their bodies. If the temperature goes below 29°C, leading to acute fever.
• In case the infant shivers or starts becoming blue, instantly remove them from water, dry them thoroughly and wrap in a towel to give warmth quickly.
• Infants with diapers can contaminate the pool water. When other infants and toddlers swallow this water, they can get sick and suffer nausea, weight loss, dehydration, etc. Never put your baby into the pool with diapers on.

What to do in Case of an Emergency?

Despite all precautions, accidents do happen, situations do get out of control. While you are taking all the necessary steps like ensuring constant monitoring, childproofing your home, and having all safety equipment in place, you must all equip yourself with emergency measures in case something untoward happens.

Here is what you can do in case of an emergency,

1. Ensure that at least some members of your family learn swimming.
2. Never let your infant or toddler out of sight when in the pool. In case you don’t find your baby or toddler, always check the water first immediately.
3. In case your little one is struggling in the water, take them away from the pool into a safe place.
4. You or anyone with a knowledge of CPR can start administering it.
5. If your baby is changing color, this may be a warning sign and you may immediately need to rush to the nearest hospital or call the ambulance for immediate medical help.
6. If it is a public pool, take the help of the lifeguard for a quick rescue.

Infants and toddlers love water, whether in a pool or otherwise. While accidents can happen, it is not wise to block them from enjoying what they love. Instead, a few precautions and water safety tips for infants and toddlers can ensure that your little one can have a fun time without compromising on safety.

Read Also: Water Safety: Prevent Your Child From Drowning by Dr. Chetan Ginigeri