Who doesn’t love jumping in the pool on a hot day? Having access to a pool is a great way to stay cool during the hot summer months, meet up with friends, entertain children, get some exercise, and more! Unfortunately, thousands of swimming accidents and injuries occur every year. It is critical to remember safety and best practices around pools and swimming areas in order to ensure that everyone returns home healthy and happy!
Always Supervise Children:
Even if a lifeguard is on duty, you should always keep an eye on your children while they are in and around the pool. Drowning accidents can happen in as little as 25 seconds, even for skilled swimmers. Allowing a child to go to a pool alone or leaving them alone is never a good idea. If you have a pool at your apartment community, the community rules will require children to be supervised.
Stay Hydrated:
It can be difficult to remember to drink water when you are splashing around in it! Swimming is one of the most physically demanding activities, therefore it’s critical to stay hydrated, especially on hot days. Stay hydrated during swimming to keep your energy up, decrease cramping, and avoid heat stroke.
Swim Safely:
Use an appropriate personal floatation device if your child cannot swim and don’t rely on toys or noodles for floatation. Swimming for an extended period of time can be exhausting, so taking frequent rest breaks is a good approach to avoid this. Swimming lessons give your children confidence in the water and are one of the most effective ways to prevent drowning. Water survival training can begin as early as one year old, and most children are ready for swim lessons by the age of four!
Apply Sunscreen:
Another typical mistake is failing to apply sunscreen while swimming, as the water can make it appear as if the sun isn’t on your skin. However, UV rays can easily penetrate water, putting you at risk of sunburn and skin cancer. Before entering the water, apply a water-resistant sunscreen and let it dry for the required period of time. Sunscreen should be reapplied every hour because it loses its effectiveness faster while soaked in water.
Follow The Rules:
If you are visiting a public pool or have access to one at your apartment community, be sure to learn about the rules and regulations. If you bring children to the pool, it is your responsibility to ensure that they are aware of and respect the rules. This helps the community in keeping their pool safe, clean, and open for everyone’s enjoyment!
With a little bit of vigilance, everyone can have a fantastic time this summer!
At Highlands apartments we are proud to provide a clean and sparkling pool for our residents to enjoy! Our resort style pool is within walking distance of our apartment homes and includes plenty of lounge chairs and café tables with umbrellas to enjoy a perfect summer afternoon. If you are ready to enjoy a beautiful apartment pool and other luxury amenities this summer, contact Highlands Apartments in Blacksburg today to get started!