Water safety: beyond the pool

The pool is not the only aquatic environment our children are exposed to in the summer.  We have to be cautious anywhere a child could potentially drown and take precautions to prevent accidents.  My goal is not to scare your family away from the water, just shed some light on some hazards.   Let's take a look at the obvious and not so obvious situations.

Infant swimming: a first look

Through the years, I have noticed an increased interest in infant swimming/survival lessons.  Maybe it's because I've only recently become a parent it's been brought more to my attention.

Sunscreen recommendations by moms

This is a post by moms for moms.  I asked my Facebook friends for their recommendations for sunscreen, preferably for at the pool and on the children. Here's what was recommended:

I got a couple references to Environmental Working Group (ewg.org) which has a HUGE list of sunscreens that have been tested for effectiveness and irritating chemicals.  I like that they include a lot of smaller brands.

In no particular order, here are some specific brands called out by some local moms.

Swimmer's ear prevention

*DISCLAIMER:I am not a medical professional.  I am writing about personal experiences and from years in the water.  If you suspect that you or your child has swimmers ear, please seek professional care.  

If you've ever had swimmers ear, you know how painful it can be.  You also know that it's something you don't want your child to get this summer.  If you are lucky enough to have escaped getting swimmers ear, read on.