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Summer is the peak time to have fun. Soaking up the sun usually leads to soaking in the water.
Whether you're lake-bound with the fam or are lounging by the pool with friends, water safety is crucial when you've got your kids in tow.
Managing your toddlers and keeping them safe is hard enough on land, nevermind adding in the very real danger of drowning.
While everybody wants to have fun—and should!—it's also important to take steps to make sure everyone is safe.
It's always a plus to know your basic first aid and CPR, so you're prepared to respond if an emergency situation arises, but there are also basic water safety steps you can take with your toddlers to help prevent accidents.
Here are three ways you can keep your twin toddlers safe at the lake or in the pool
1. Supervise one-to-one
Whenever you're in the water, make sure you're following a one-to-one rule, meaning you've got one adult swimming with only one kid at all times. Your toddlers likely still need help swimming at this stage, but don't try to go solo on this with your twins because even with flotation devices in play, their heads can dip below water in a split-second.
Even with a one-to-one adult-to-kid ratio in play, it's important to minimize or remove distractions when you're in the water. So, snap a quick picture of them in their swim gear, sure, but don't let yourself get distracted by scanning your inbox or scrolling through social media, even if you're only in very shallow water because drowning can happen silently, without any noise or splashing.
When you're not IN the water, make a habit of holding hands if you're walking around the pool or edge of the lake because it can be slippery or uneven with rocks and kids can easily lose their footing without warning.
It's also a good idea to make sure you always have at least one adult who knows they're designated to scan and watch the pool or lake area to make sure no one's going into water without supervision.
2. Use fitted flotation devices
Ensure each kid is wearing a properly-fitted flotation device, like a puddle jumper (AKA water wings) or a life jacket or vest with safety straps when near or in the water.
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Toddler Swim Vest by MoKo
Puddle Jumper
These lightweight water wings are rated for kids from 20 to 50 pounds. The arm sleeves fit snugly and an adjustable strap means you can find the perfect fit for your toddler. This puddle jumper vest is made of premium materials and has a durable, nylon shell for long-lasting safety. This exact pattern features high-visibility colors for easy spotting.
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Children's Swimming Vest with Safety Straps by OSHYLE
Life Vest
This life vest has built-in EPE foam pads to help children keep their balance in the water. It's made of high-quality neoprene to help protect your children's skin and prevent abrasions. Adjustable safety straps help ensure a proper fit (you can choose the appropriate size for your toddler using the link below). This life jacket is suitable for swimming pools, beaches, boats, or lakes, and this exact pattern features high-visibility colors for quick and easy spotting in the water.
It's also a good idea to teach your children to ask permission before stepping foot into water.
This, of course, is easier said than done with really young children, but it's important to try to get the concept across and reinforce it each time you're around water, so they take it seriously.
Whenever there's a danger (e.g., cars on the road, or a pool or lake nearby), we always stress to each of our twins that they CAN'T go in there without Mommy or Daddy (or Grandma or Grandpa or Auntie or Uncle), and we've noticed they now tell us or come to grab our hands when they want to go closer to the water.
3. Wear high-visibility clothing
Make sure you remember what your twins are wearing, so you can easily spot them at a glance.
Before you head out for fun on or in the water, think about the color of their swimsuits and where you're going to be (in the lake vs. in the pool).
You want something that's quickly and easily visible. Keep in mind that what you can see easily on land is not the same as what you can see easily underwater. Here's a helpful guide about swimwear color safety.
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Swim Shorts & Long-Sleeve UV Shirt for Toddlers by Jan & Jul UV
High-Visibility UV Shirt
This is a long-sleeve UV rashguard by Jan & Jul. They also make UV sun shorts with bright patterns. These shirts and swim shorts have 50+ UPF all-day sun protection, whether they're wet or dry. They're machine-washable and are made with a woven aqua-dry fabric, so they dry quickly and naturally block harmful UV rays without the use of chemicals.
Be safe and have fun
Whether you're headed to the lake or the pool, keep your head about you (and above water).
Supervising your kids one-to-one, scanning the water to make sure nobody's going in on their own, using proper flotation devices, and wearing high-visibility clothing are easy safety measures to take.
Following these three tips can help keep you and your family safe when you're in or around water.
What's your most important safety tip or rule with your kids when you're in or around water? Let us know in the Comments section below or connect with us on Instagram to share your thoughts!
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