Swimming with Children
Children should never be left alone or unsupervised in or near the water, and adults who are swimming with children should be familiar with CPR. If you have your own pool, it should be surrounded by a sturdy fence with a gate that latches above the reach or small children. Rescue equipment should be easily accessible, and a cell phone should be within close reach so that you or another adult can call 911 quickly if necessary. While floats are fun to play with, they do not replace life vests and should not be used as anything other than toys. Swimming lessons can give you and your children an extra measure of safety, but most children are not developmentally ready for these programs and should be closely supervised until they are at least four.
Following Rules
Most pools list their rules in an easy-to-spot location. Be especially cautious when the lifeguard is not on duty. Even though pools contain chlorine to kill bacteria, you can take steps to further reduce the risks of waterborne illness. Remember to wash your hands when you use the bathroom, rinse off before and after you swim and avoid getting in the water at all if you have had a stomach bug with vomiting or diarrhea. Even non-skid surfaces can be slippery when wet, so no running.
Sun Smart
While water safety may be your priority, the sun also poses risks. UV exposure is the biggest controllable risks for skin cancer, so you need to use caution when partaking of those warm rays. Slather sun block liberally on exposed skin, and reapply according to package instructions. Keep your skin covered when you are out of the water using a long, loose cover-up, long pants or a long-sleeved shirt. Broad-brimmed hats can protect your face, scalp, neck and shoulders, and sunglasses with a UV coating can protect your eyes.