• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Strategicia

Initiate. Inspire. Innovate.

  • Home
  • Topics
    • Family
    • Health & Fitness
    • Education
    • Furniture
    • Technology
    • Business
    • Financial
    • Marketing
    • Transportation
    • Construction
  • Ask a Question
  • Contact Us

Swimming Pool Safety: Infant & Toddler Edition

Last updated on July 7, 2020 by Sozo Staff Leave a Comment

father in pool with laughing toddler

Infants and toddlers can add plenty of life to your backyard swimming pool scene! The sensory element of water offers an exciting way for them to explore their natural world and plenty of potential benefits for their physical and mental health. However, young children also create some unique challenges for your pool environment. As long as you consider the extra safety risks and do what’s in your power to mitigate them, your pool can be a safe and happy place for your family and friends of all ages.

Drowning Risks

Children under age 4 are most at-risk of drowning. While you might think that natural beaches would pose more of a threat, drownings are more likely to occur in private swimming pools than any publicly accessible recreational water source. In addition to making sure your pool is surrounded by a safety fence with self-latching gate, you can make sure little ones stay safe from drowning by ensuring they’re always within arm’s reach of a supervising adult whenever they’re within the pool area. Pool floats can be helpful in giving babies and toddlers more independence in the water, but they’re no substitute for careful supervision.

baby floating on tube in swimming pool

In addition to those steps you can take to help prevent drowning, it can also be helpful to make sure you’re prepared in case an incident does occur. You and other adults in your social network can take a class from the Red Cross or another organization, so you’re prepared to respond to various poolside emergencies by learning basic First Aid/CPR/AED. If a child does drown, the biggest key in giving a child the best chance for survival possible is to immediately begin CPR and rescue breaths.

mother dipping young baby into pool water

Contamination Caution

Second to drowning, an infant-specific issue to consider is the potential for exposure to bacteria. The reason this is especially of concern when little ones are in the pool is that there’s potential for leakage from their diapers. While we recommend requiring swim diapers for any kids not yet potty trained who use your swimming pool, these diapers will not eliminate the possibility for contamination. At best, they’ll keep solid fecal matter from entering your pool; but they can’t keep bacteria from leaking out. Especially if diarrhea occurs, all swimmers can quickly become exposed to a variety of RWIs, or Recreational Water Illnesses, such as Crypto.

baby with mother experiencing swimming pool water

We highly recommend having pool policies that disallow anyone who has had diarrhea within 24 hours from entering your pool. We also suggest requiring diapers to be changed somewhere other than the area surrounding the pool and having diapers disposed of properly. Also encourage young children to use the rest room frequently and everyone using your pool to wash their hands thoroughly after using the rest room or changing diapers.

An added way you can help your baby avoid exposure to bacteria that does enter the water is to keep him or her from swallowing pool water.

Continue Reading about Pools

  • The Best July 4th Party Ideas
  • Block Parties and the Best BBQ Recipes!

Lyon Financial: America’s Leading Pool Lender

Since 1979 Lyon Financial has made the backyard resort dream come true for over 400,000 families across the U.S. Through our solid relationships with more than 3,000 pool contractors and our continued commitment to putting our clients first, we have built a reputation as the first choice in providing pool financing solutions. For more information, visit lyonfinancial.net or call (877) 754-5966 today.

Filed Under: Family, Swimming Pools

Additional Articles

outdoor wood burning pizza oven
Lovin That Outdoor Pizza Oven!
little girl kick splashing water and squinting
Pool Safety Tips: Keeping Kids Safe, Part 5
little girl preparing to dive off diving board
Pool Safety Tips: Keeping Kids Safe, Part 4
lady with shade hat relaxing in chair by pool
Pool Safety Tips: Keeping Kids Safe, Part 3
mother and daughters with goggles swimming underwater
Pool Safety Tips: Keeping Kids Safe, Part 2
parents in swimming pool with toddler and green tube
Pool Safety Tips: Keeping Kids Safe, Part 1

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

one + ten =



Primary Sidebar

Lyon Financial

Featured Articles

  • Swimming Pool Additions: All About Climbing Walls
  • What You Need To Know Before Buying a Pool Waterslide
  • What You Need To Know About Solar Pool Heating Systems
  • Pool Recreation: Family-Friendly Games To Play
  • Pool Recreation: Hunting and Gathering Games
  • Top 3 Pool Maintenance Tasks – and Suggestions on How To Do Them
  • 4 Reasons a Pool Might Not Be a Good Fit for You
  • 4 More Reasons a Pool Might Not Be a Good Fit for You
  • 4 Final Reasons a Pool Might Not Be a Good Fit for You
Lyon Financial

Popular Articles

  • Effects of Television on Teenagers
  • Genuine Mahogany vs. African Mahogany: What's the Difference?
  • What Is So Great about Teak Wood?
  • Modern Perforating Techniques Used by Metal Manufacturers & Fabricators
  • Is Your Teen Diagnosed with Reactive Attachment Disorder?
  • Ipe Decking: Should you use Face Screwed or Hidden Fasteners?
  • The Gymnast’s Diet: Why You Should Avoid Nitrates & Nitrites
  • The Gymnast’s Diet: Why You Should Avoid Refined Flours and Sugars
Lyon Financial

Reader Feedback

  • Mitch Shearer on How the All-New X10 HUB Builds on Already-Amazing Technology
  • Alec Burns on Health Benefits of Having Your Own Backyard Swimming Pool
  • Welded Mesh on Modern Perforating Techniques Used by Metal Manufacturers & Fabricators
  • Tyler Johnson on Top 3 Pool Maintenance Tasks – and Suggestions on How To Do Them
  • Kate Hansen on Health Benefits of Having Your Own Backyard Swimming Pool
Lyon Financial

Copyright © 2023 Sozo Firm Inc · Privacy Policy · Disclaimer · Sitemap