Safety is our passion at Life Saver Pool Fence. This blog is chock full of articles on how to keep people of all ages safe from drowning. Each year, September represents a special time to focus on our littlest ones. As part of our coverage of Baby Safety Month 2021, let’s look at some ways to keep our little ones safe in and around the water.
Understanding Baby Safety Month 2021
Water danger is a serious threat to kids. This is especially true for babies and toddlers. As a matter of fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that drowning is responsible for more deaths among children aged one to four than any other cause, aside from birth defects.
Keeping this in mind, there are many ways to take special care of babies near the water. For Baby Safety Month 2021, it is important to shine a light on some of our most important tips.
Accidents can and often do happen. As important as active supervision is to child safety, no guardian will be able to keep it up indefinitely. That said, with education and proper products and planning, these potential risks can be minimized.
Choosing a Swimsuit for Babies
First, let’s start with the bathing suit. For babies, picking a swimsuit isn’t as simple as just choosing a color. For babies between the ages of zero and three months, a swimsuit that provides warmth and extra protection for sensitive skin is essential. Babies are very susceptible to cold temperatures. A cool pool that seems fine to adults could be felt much more severely by a little one.
People often do not realize how easily a baby’s skin can become irritated. Pool chemicals, including chlorine, as well as certain fabric materials, can cause a rash, which can sometimes become quite severe.
For Baby Safety Month 2021, we recommend reading our full blog post about choosing a swimsuit for babies. It has plenty of helpful shopping tips.
Kiddie Pools: Popular and Problematic
Kiddie pools are a time-honored tradition for many babies. Letting a little one splash around is a great opportunity for photos and memories. In 2019, they became even more popular due to the pandemic. Many public pools were closed, so these little pools served as a reliable substitute. Admittedly, they are a great way to help babies and kids of all ages relax and play. That said, these pools can also introduce a potential drowning hazard.
In just a few quiet moments, a little one can slip under the water. Speaking of water, it doesn’t really require much water to drown. In fact, drowning can (and often does) happen in only a few inches of liquid. If the nose and mouth can become covered, a fun day in the kiddie pool can turn deadly. Read our dedicated blog post about kiddie pool safety to learn more.
Hot Water from the Garden Hose
The water in your garden hose can be more hazardous than you realize. When turned off, it is possible for water to remain trapped in the hose. If left out to bake in the hot sun for hours, this can lead to a potential scalding situation. Kids and toddlers are always curious. There have been more stories of injuries from hose water than you might expect. Learn more in our recent garden hose danger post.
Pool Fences Save Lives
Finally, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention the value of a pool fence. The first line of defense for a swimming pool or hot tub should be a properly installed pool fence. It should be strong and high enough to prevent children from climbing over it. Additionally, this pool fence should be securely locked with a self-latching gate.
A pool fence, combined with other layers of protection, can provide added security for your home. This means installing alarms on any windows or doors that may lead to the pool area. A curious baby can easily wander out of the house, and parents will want as much warning as possible. Products like immersion alarms can be worn on the child, sounding if they are submerged in water.
