Las fiestas en la piscina son una excelente manera para que los niños se refresquen, festejen y gasten un poco de energía adicional durante los meses más cálidos. Sin embargo, estar en el agua conlleva algunos riesgos.
"Children often drown outside their home, in a pool that is new to them," explains Marisa Abbe, Ph.D., CPSTI, Director of Injury Prevention at Children's Health℠. "At a family gathering or pool party, it can be easy to assume that someone else is watching the pool or that there's proper safety equipment nearby.
Safety tips for hosting a kid pool party
- Provide active supervision. The most effective way parents and caregivers can prevent drowning is by keeping eyes on children at all times.
- Designate Water Watchers. A Water Watcher is someone who is solely focused on actively supervising everyone in the water for 15-20 minutes at a time. During that time, they agree to not be on their phone, chat, drink alcohol or do anything else that may distract them. To request a free Water Watcher tag you can use to officially designate a water watcher, email KBYG@childrens.com.
- Consider hiring a lifeguard. Hiring a lifeguard can be expensive. But it can also provide peace of mind and make the party more enjoyable.
- Know the swimming ability of each child at the party. Speak with each parent or guardian ahead of time to find out if their child can swim. Don't assume a child can swim based on their age.
- Create pool party rules for young children and non-swimmers. For example, they must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets at all times. A life jacket is safer than water wings or other inflatable devices.
- Have the right safety equipment nearby. A ring buoy and a cell phone are two important safety tools.
- Aprenda RCP. You can find an online or in-person class at The American Red Cross.
What to do if your child is going to a pool party
A few simple questions can make all the difference in keeping your child – and all the other children – safe. If your child attends a pool party, be sure to:
- Call the party host ahead of time. Ask if there will be enough adults to supervise the water at all times – and consider offering to be one of them.
- Bring a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. This is especially important if your child is not a strong swimmer.
Obtener más información
El equipo de prevención de lesiones de Children's Health está a su lado para mantener a su familia segura en la piscina. See more pool safety tips, or call 214-456-1870 to learn more.
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