As the citizens of Santa Clarita Valley embark on another journey through the intense heat of summer, parents and children seek a cool remedy from the harsh sunrays. Bathing suits are dusted off, the patio furniture and umbrellas are brought out, and the murky pond in the backyard is transformed back into a gleaming crystal pool. But before your kids run for the water, consider these common safety suggestions to ensure maximum wellbeing for your youngsters.
Never leave a child unattended while he or she is in the pool. This may seem like common sense, but parents can assume that they will return “in just a minute”, and that minute may be too long. If the parent or adult supervisor needs to leave the immediate pool area, ask the child to get out of the pool until the adult returns. This simple act will prevent drowning, and even if there are multiple children, it is suggested that all children exit the pool because more children does not necessarily equal safety. Do not underestimate the size of the pool. “Kiddie” pools are fun for splashing around, but toddlers should never be left alone in them; the Santa Clarita District Attorney’s Office reminds parents that it only takes a small amount of water for a child to drown in seconds, so adults should take precautions. As a common civility, all adults who find themselves in a pool area with children should know that it is their equal responsibility to help any child who may be having trouble in the water. Help a child realize when he or she has had too much fun in the sun; heat exhaustion is a serious illness that comes on after too much exposure in the sun. To help prevent over exposure to heat, make sure that children are well hydrated and covered with sunscreen. When a child is tired, he or she is less likely to pay attention in the pool and the chances for drowning increase.
Don’t let the fear of drowning, however, keep parents and kids from the pool; pools were created to be a fun and cooling way for parents and kids to play and relax, so rather than avoid the pools, be safe, be smart, and stay cool!