The pools have opened for the summer in Nassau County. If past summers are any indication, the pools in Bellmore, Oceanside, and West Hempstead will have plenty of visitors. Swimmers of all ages will enjoy these and many other pools across the county.
At Kid Care Pediatrics in Rockville Centre, we encourage swimming for children of all ages. It is great cardiovascular exercise and lots of fun. We also stress pool safety. Being aware of just a few pool safety tips will help prevent serious injury.
Walk, Don’t Run
Running in the pool area can lead to slips and falls. These can cause very serious and painful injuries. Walking in a controlled manner will go a long way in preventing these mishaps.
The Buddy System
No child should ever be alone in the pool or pool area, even the accomplished swimmers. Risk of drowning is increased when the swimmer is alone. Therefore, a responsible adult should be supervising every child at all times.
Drains And Covers
Pool drains and covers can be hazardous, even when properly maintained. Smaller children can get caught in these drains and are often unable to break away. This can lead to serious injury.
Listen To Instructions
Our Nassau County public pools have the best lifeguards. They are interested only in our safety and are there to prevent any unfortunate incidents. Always follow their directions.
Diving
Most public pools do not allow diving. Some have a separate diving pool. For pools that allow diving, never dive in the shallow end. Diving injuries are typically very severe. Only dive in designated diving areas.
Residential Pools
All residential pools should be surrounded on all sides with a fence. Ideally, the fence should be at least 4 feet high with a lock and an alarm. The pool should be covered when not in use and toys should be removed from the pool area so children are not tempted to enter unsupervised. Keep rescue equipment and a first aid kit by the pool.
Sun Safety
Most of us can lounge poolside in the sun for hours so remember appropriate sun saftey. Sunblock with an SPF rating of 30 or higher should be applied 30 minutes prior to going to the pool. It should be reapplied every 2-3 hours and after we come out of the water. See Sunblock: Don’t Let Our Children Get Burned by the Sun.
Ready to swim
With these tips in mind we can ensure a fun and safe experience at the pool for ourselves and our children. Indoor or outdoor, public or residential, summer or any time of year, stay safe and enjoy the swim.
Comments? Questions? Contact Dr. Eric Goldstein at Kid Care Pediatrics.