According to W.H.O, drowning is the sixth leading cause of death for children aged between 5 to 14 years. Some children that survive drowning experience severe brain damage or a long-term disability. And, for the kids that survive drowning accidents with non-fatal injuries, half of them end up requiring further care even after leaving the hospital.
This is why Safe Pools Australia encourages parents to take pool safety seriously. And, with more homes looking to set up swimming pools in their backyard, having the right resources can help make a massive difference in how you protect your loved ones. So, here’s a list of six digital resources you can use to assist in pool safety at home.
But, before we can dive into learning more about the resources, let’s discuss why pool safety is important.
Importance of pool safety
- Prevents drowning: It only takes 20 to 60 minutes for anyone to fully submerge under the water, which means that drowning can happen fast, even without other people noticing. Pool safety helps prevent drowning, as there are measures in place that help make the pool safe for people of all ages.
- Prevents drain entrapment: This type of entrapment occurs when a piece of clothing or a body part gets sucked into the opening or drain. Pool safety helps ensure that every open drain in the pool is completely covered, thus preventing drowning.
- Prevents other injuries: Pools have a wet and slippery floor. And by following the set pool safety rules, you ensure that anyone using the swimming pool doesn’t slip and fall. You also notify swimmers of the safety rules they should follow when using your pool. For instance, installing a “No Diving” sign can prevent fatal injuries from occurring.
Now that you know why pool safety is important, let’s look at the six digital resources you can use to help pool safely at home.
Print pool safety activity worksheets
Children learn pretty fast by engaging in different activities. And, one way you can teach your kids pool safely at home is through activity worksheets. These worksheets will give you and your little ones an educational and fun way to review water safety measures they can use while in the pool. Some resources on these activity worksheets include crossword puzzles, water safety mathematical problems, and coloring sheets for your little ones.
Download a pool safely app
Thanks to technology, it has become relatively easy for children to learn more about different topics. It doesn’t matter if it’s something like tying their shoes or pool safety; there is always an app for that. And, with technology growing every day, there will always be a tool you can use to help your kids learn more about pool safety.
All you have to do is search for an interactive pool safety app on the Google Play Store or Apple Store and find an app that provides lots of information in a fun and interactive manner.
Take the pledge
With drowning being the top ten causes of death in kids, pool safety has become an essential campaign for government officials and even celebrities worldwide. And, one way the world has helped keep children safe is through pool safety campaigns, which include not only talks but also pledges.
By reciting the pool safely pledge, you memorize pool safety measures, and it can help prevent drownings. You can find the pool safely pledge online for both children and adults.
Listen to a pool safely song
Another way you can teach your children pool safety measures is through music. Do a Google search on a pool safely song and help your little one learn the steps it teaches. You can also choose to dance, as this helps make the words to the song more memorable.
Use YouTube
Another helpful resource you can use to teach your kids how to pool safely is YouTube. There are tons of videos you can watch that are informative and entertaining that will convey the message of pool safety to your kids.
Find customized water safety resources with the help of S.W.I.M.
S.W.I.M is a tool that seeks to empower everyone with helpful information they can use to stay safe around or in water. This tool connects both adults and children with customized safety materials based on their answers to a few questions.
All the above resources can play a huge role in helping keep you and your loved ones safe when using the pool.
