It takes just seconds for a child to jump or fall into the water and sink to the bottom. And every parent knows their toddler can disappear from view exactly that fast. Experts say teaching kids under 4 to swim doesn’t prevent drowning, because they can panic and they lack the strength and coordination to pull themselves out of the pool.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to keep your children safe and give yourself greater peace of mind.
These tips will help you worry less and focus on fun:
Think of these tips as layers of protection when it comes to keeping your kids safe around your backyard pool. The more precautions you have in place, the lower the chances of disaster. If you’re planning a pool party, hire a lifeguard. That way you and other parents can enjoy the party knowing there are extra eyes on your kids.
You want your kids to be safe playing around the pool, too. Concrete coping, patios, and other hard surfaces are great for fending off chlorinated water. They’re easy to rinse off with a hose, and they dry pretty quickly. But hard surfaces are not great when it comes to barefoot-friendliness.
They are slippery when they get wet, and they aren’t as smooth as they look – how many times did you stub your toes around the pool when you were a kid? Ouch! Hard surfaces get hot, too, absorbing and reflecting the sun’s rays. Ouch again.
Installing artificial grass around your pool is a better way to go. It is not slippery when wet. Water drains away quickly, and the turf dries fast. Fake grass is cooler on the feet as well as the environment. And it feels soft and, well, grassy, underfoot.
If your little ones have a designated play area, they’ll be safer if you install Heavenly Greens FallSoft artificial grass as a flooring. This system is specially engineered to cushion falls from as high as 5 feet.
With careful pool precautions and supervision – and an assist from Heavenly Greens – you can keep your kids safe around your backyard this summer. Last one in is a rotten egg!