Child Safety in Pools: A Complete Guide for Parents

Children and Pools – A Love with Responsibility

Τα παιδιά λατρεύουν την πισίνα. Είναι ένας χώρος όπου συνδυάζεται η διασκέδαση με την άσκηση. Ωστόσο, η ασφάλεια των παιδιών πρέπει να είναι προτεραιότητα, ειδικά σε private pools. Στόχος αυτού του οδηγού είναι να παρέχει συμβουλές και πρακτικές για να διασφαλίσετε ότι τα παιδιά σας απολαμβάνουν την πισίνα με ασφάλεια.

Basic rules

• Medical checkup: A medical check-up before the first swimming it is essential. This should include basic tests such as an electrocardiogram and an ultrasound of the heart to rule out potential health issues that could affect the child's safety in the pool.
• Nutrition and Swimming: It is important that the child has not consumed heavy meals at least two to three hours before swimming. A light snack about 30 minutes before entering the water is ideal.

Frequency of use

• Regular Exercise: Regular use of the pool enhances physical development and maintains the physical condition of the child. However, it is recommended that the duration of swimming does not exceed one continuous hour to avoid dehydration.
• Pool Type Selection: Although outdoor pools are generally healthier due to exposure to fresh air, indoor pools provide the advantage of being used regardless of weather conditions.

Outdoor pool or indoor?

Certainly, open pools are considered healthier than closed ones, because the child is constantly in contact with fresh air, while - on the contrary - in closed ones, the pool's water vapor favors the transmission of germs and viruses. The negative of the open pool is, of course, that it cannot be used in the winter months, as a result of which the child loses contact with this particular exercise. However, there are experts who argue that if you have an outdoor pool, your children can use it even in winter, without any risk, since, when the child gets out of the pool, they have acquired such strong defenses that no matter how cold it is there is no danger of catching a cold at that moment, as long as it is wiped well.

Chlorine= danger?

The amount of chlorine present in a swimming pool is not dangerous for children's health. On the contrary, it protects them from fungi and germs and thus no skin disease is transmitted through the pool water. Sure chlorine can cause a little eye irritation and a slight drying of the skin (especially the tender skin of children) but if the pool is used wisely, there is no serious effect (except maybe ruining the bathing suits!)

To Avoid the Unexpected

• Teach the child to swim from an early age.
• When the child is near the pool and does not know how to swim, make sure he always wears a life jacket or armbands.
• Never leave the child alone in the pool. An adult must always be with him.
• Make sure that your child does not have access to the pool alone and make sure that the necessary rescue equipment is available in case of an accident (life jacket, rope, etc.).
• Remove anything from the pool area that the child could use to climb and fall into the water.
• Learn to apply first aid so that you can react properly in case of drowning.
• Fence the entire area around the pool with continuous bars and install an audible alarm and infrared beams in or around the tank to ensure that any movement of the child can be detected.

Pool and children

Tips

• A child can drown in less than 3 minutes.
• A child who receives first aid immediately is five times more likely to be saved from drowning.
• One of the biggest causes of drowning is panic. Teach your children from a young age not to be afraid of water so that they can handle whatever happens to them during swimming.