For families looking to beat the heat, trips to the pool and beach are a fantastic way to cool down and have fun. However, water safety is a critical concern, especially for families with young children. At Kids ‘R’ Kids, we strive to support little swimmers in making a splash safely with these essential tips for preschoolers around pools and beaches.

Water can be as risky as it is refreshing, especially for naturally curious preschoolers who are often unaware of the hazards. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cites drowning as the chief cause of injury-related death among children ages four and under. Supervision and proper precautions are vital to prevent potential tragedies.

• Constant Supervision: Always keep your preschooler within arm’s reach when in or around water. This means full attention without distractions like reading or using a phone. If several adults are present, take turns being the designated “water watcher,” whose sole responsibility is to watch the children.
• Teach Water Safety: It’s never too early to teach children about water safety. Explain the importance of staying near an adult, not running near pools, and only swimming in designated safe areas. Use flotation devices as a helpful tool but not as a replacement for supervision.

• Install Barriers: Ensure that any home pool has a four-sided fence with self-latching gates to prevent unsupervised access by children. Pool covers and alarms add an extra layer of security when the pool isn’t in use.
• Flotation Devices: For an added layer of safety, use Coast Guard-approved life jackets or flotation devices, but remember that these aren’t substitutes for supervision.
• Swimming Lessons: Enroll your preschooler in swimming lessons taught by qualified instructors—they’ll learn skills pivotal to preventing accidents.

• Understand the Environment: Teach your preschooler to recognize the flags indicating current water conditions and explain what each color means.
• Spot and Avoid Hazards: Show your child how to identify and avoid plausible hazards, such as jellyfish, sharp shells, and areas with strong waves.
• Learn About Rip Currents: Look into rip currents and teach your preschooler to swim parallel to the shore until free of the current if they ever get caught in one.

• Emergency Preparedness: Make sure there’s life saving equipment nearby, like life preservers and reaching poles. Learn CPR and basic water rescue skills in case of emergencies.
• Sun Protection: Protect your preschooler’s skin from the sun’s rays by applying sunscreen liberally and frequently and wearing hats and UV-protective clothing.

With our water safety tips, families planning for fun-filled days at the pool or beach can ensure their preschoolers enjoy every splash safely. At Kids ‘R’ Kids, we’re here to support families with resources and advice to keep swimming both fun and low-risk. Enjoy the waves, and remember safety saves!

If you enjoyed this blog, please take a look at our school’s blog page. There you will find blogs on a wide variety of topics that we believe will be beneficial to you and your family. Want to learn more about Kids ‘R’ Kids Learning Academy of Waterside located in Richmond, Texas? Our mission is to provide secure, nurturing, and educational environments for children ages 6 weeks – 12 years. We help children to bloom into responsible, considerate, and contributing members of society. For more information, give us a call or stop by for a tour! We’d love to get to know you and your family.