When you and your family visit a public pool, there are many things that you can do to help your children stay safe. A few basic skills will go a long way in helping to prevent injuries and accidents.
Stress Good Listening
Go over the rules with your children before arriving at the pool. They are expected to listen to you and, depending on their swimming abilities and ages, stay close by at all times. It is important for them to listen and follow directions in order to stay safe in the swimming pools and other areas of the facility. Good listening skills will also prevent behavior problems that can result in reckless behavior, running, and other things that could cause accidents.
Get to Know the Staff
If you will be spending a good amount of time at a pool, or even if you are only planning to be there for a few days, be sure your children feel comfortable with the pool’s staff. They should understand the purpose of a lifeguard and why it is important that swimming pools have people to help in case there is an emergency. Children can also know who they can go to at the pool, like the lifeguard or a staff member in uniform, if they become separated from a parent.
Set General Boundaries
Both literal physical boundaries of which pools they can stay in and boundaries for behavior that is acceptable at the pool. This will be a combination of the rules of the pool that are set by the staff and your own personal rules for your children. Be sure that they are clear on exactly what is expected of them before they are distracted by other children and all of the new things around them. As they get older, adjust the rules based on what works for you and for each of your children.
