Image by Pexels from Pixabay

Staying Safe in Summer Sun And Fun

With the sun shining bright and the gentle breeze singing through the trees, it feels like the perfect time to chat about one of our favorite summer pastimes — swimming! Whether it’s in a twinkling pool, a serene lake, or the sparkling sea, there’s nothing like seeing our little ones’ eyes light up with joy as they splash around.

Do you remember our June 2023 discussion in “Teaching Your Kids about Swimming & Dangers“? We talked about the importance of water wisdom. Let’s dive a bit deeper and sprinkle a little safety magic for an unforgettable and secure swimming season! 

Prep

Before those tiny toes touch the water, make sure you’re all set with the essentials:

Life Jackets: For our pint-sized swimmers moving into deeper waters or boating, a properly fitting life jacket is a must. The type which holds the head up in case one is unconscious is best.

Water-Wings: A great fit for water play is water wings, to keep their heads above water at all times without being too constrictive.

Sunscreen and Hats: Keep that delicate skin shielded from the UVA/UVB rays with a high SPF sunscreen and wide-brimmed hats.  Even cloudy days need sunscreen as UV rays still penetrate clouds at about 90% of normal on a sunny day.  Did you know that SPF is to help you determine how long you can be in the sun without burning or needing to reapply?   Fair skinned person such as this writer will start burning in 15 minutes so SPF 30 means that under ideal circumstances–thick application, no sweating or water exposure, I can stay out in the sun for up to 30 times longer than my normal 15 minutes before burning.  But, be careful—that’s only under perfect laboratory conditions.  This writer cuts that time in half to account for human and environmental error.

How to Determine Which SPF to Use:  https://www.science.org.au/curious/people-medicine/what-does-spf-rating-really-mean#:~:text=To%20get%20the%20SPF%20number,there%20is%20no%20sunscreen%20applied.

Safe Splashing Tips

Now that we’re dressed for success, let’s make sure our water play is as safe as it is fun:

Always Keep Eyes on the Prize: And by prize, we mean our adorable aquanauts! Continuous supervision and communication is key. It only takes a moment for water play to turn into worry, so let’s keep our eyes on the fun. Avoid distracting conversations or media.

Teach the Basics: Many of you already knew this, but a few more follow the tips we gave in “Teaching Your Kids about Swimming & Dangers”. Reinforce these lessons: no running near the pool, and always ask for permission before diving into the pool.

Set Boundaries: Make sure your child knows where they can and cannot swim. Setting physical or imaginary lines can work wonders for keeping them safe and sets rules that are part of the fun.

Keep the Water Clean and Clear: Ensure the swimming spot is free of hazards. Clear water means better visibility, not just for finding exciting sea creatures, but for keeping an eye on our swimmers too! Consider a brightly colored swimsuit as soft colors–especially pink/tan/beige can look like sand colors and do not show in deeper water.  Whn searching for a missing swimmer, bright colors are very helpful.   If you’re in a common swimming area, make sure your kids wash any toy they bring into the water.

Learn the Signs of Struggle: Sometimes kids don’t splash or yell when in trouble. They might just look like they’re silently trying to climb a ladder. Drowning and dry drowning do NOT look like what we see in the movies.  Recognizing these signs can lead to a quick and calm response. 

Be Emergency Ready

In case of a “just in case”, make sure you’re prepared:

Learn CPR: This is a wonderful skill, regardless of the season. You might never need it, but if you do, it could be a lifesaver. The American Red Cross offers training and certifications.

Have a First-Aid Kit: A prepared parent is a confident parent. Have it handy for those unexpected slips and trips. Bandages, antiseptic wash, and of course, sunburn lotion are smart items to include in a swim first aid kit.

Making Every Splash Count

Create beautiful memories by integrating fun and educational swimming games. How about a treasure hunt for waterproof toys or a floating ring toss? Not only will these games keep their minds and bodies engaged, they’ll reinforce swimming skills and safety measures! With a little bit of prep and preparedness, we can ensure that every splash comes with a smile. Let’s relish this radiant season by making each swimming day sunny, safe, and super!

Let’s keep our community conversations bubbling up! If you’ve got more tips, stories, or a little underwater photo you’d like to share, dive into our comment section. We’d love to keep “swimming” in this wonderful conversation with all of you! If you’d like to discuss a place at Creekside Kids for your kids, we invite you to click this embedded link to schedule an appointment. Let’s get to know each other! Like us on Facebook to follow our stories for news and updates. We’re located at 1201 W Cheyenne Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80906, and we can be reached at (719) 635-9111. Our new hours of operation are 6:45 a.m. until 5:45 p.m., Monday through Friday.