How can I keep my child safe when he's swimming?

There are two most important things you can do to keep your child safe while he is swimming. First, always make sure you or a responsible adult are watching the children swim. Yes, we all know irresponsible adults. Second, get him swimming lessons. 

Many parents think swimming lessons are only to learn the strokes. This cannot be further from the truth. Swimming lessons are first and foremost about water safety and prevention of drowning. Before letting him take the plunge with friends, make sure he proves himself in a controlled swim lesson environment.

You want your child to enjoy swimming and splashing around in the water, but you will also want to do all you can to make sure that water fun is safe.

Ages 0-5 – Don’t leave ‘em alone. Although swimming programs are available for younger children and babies, these classes focus on building confidence and encouraging children to enjoy the water, rather than teaching them how to swim. Even if your youngster can swim, don’t rely on that to keep them safe. And inflatable inner tubes, “floaties,” and “water wings” are toys, not safety devices.

Age 4+ – Swimming lesson time. Four-year-olds usually have the developmental skills needed to benefit from formal swimming instruction, and water safety training.

Tragedy can happen quickly. Keep an eye on your child every minute when you are near water. A book, a good conversation, or just a quick run to the bathroom might even be enough distraction to allow a child to slip under quietly. Most of the children who drown in a home swimming pool were out of sight of an adult for less than 5 minutes.

From Good Kids, Bad Habits: The RealAge Guide to Raising Healthy Children by Jennifer Trachtenberg.

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There is evidence that children age 1 to 4 may be less likely to drown if they have had formal swimming instruction. So depending on your child’s interest, ability to follow instruction, and if you have a pool or are around water often look for swim lessons that are appropriate for your child. Remember that just because your child has had some swim training does not mean she is water safe. I often hear patients say that they taught their toddler to swim so they could relax at the lake or grandma’s house. But you can’t relax when your children are near water.

In addition to swim lessons, all swimming pools should be surrounded by a 4-sided pool fence (this alone cuts drowning risk in half), with a self-closing, self-latching gate. While pool covers and alarms can add additional layers of protection, they are not a substitute for a pool fence.

When children are in or near water, they must be constantly supervised by an adult who knows how to swim, perform a rescue, initiate CPR and call for help. If you are watching a child in or near the water, make sure your eyes and attention are constantly on the child. In the time it takes to turn to answer the phone, a child can quietly and quickly slip underwater.

For young children, use “touch supervision” which means an adult is always within arm’s reach.