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.

Secondary drowning: the frenzy and the rarity

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional.  Always consult your doctor or pediatrician if you have medical concerns.

Earlier this summer a very heartfelt and terrifying story went viral about a boy who almost died of secondary drowning , also called dry drowning or delayed drowning.  Most people were frightened not only of the situation, but also that they had no idea it could happen.  "If it could happen to that little boy, it could happen to mine, right?", said the voice in our heads.

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.

My opinion - floatations devices

I read this article from Parenting magazine, and thought that their opinion mirrored my own pretty well.

Parenting article

My least favorite flotation device are the blow-up water wings.  I've seen them pop or slip off, and that can be a safety hazard.  Among other flotation tools are life vests and the extremely popular puddle jumper.