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Toddler swim gear
Zoggs Roll Ups armbands, Rebel Sport, $7.99.
Most toddlers and older children love water play. It keeps them cool in the summer months and provides exercise, developmental opportunities and heaps of fun!
Sadly however, toddlers aged 2- 4 are the highest risk in the population for drowning and the backyard swimming pool is the riskiest place for them.
While there is no replacement for supervision, there are products to help your toddler stay safe and happy this summer.
Sun-safe swimwear
Protect your little one from harmful UV radiation with neck-to-knee swimwear offering SPF/UPF protection of 100 or above.
Toddlers who are toilet training may prefer separate shorts or leggings and a rashvest.
A waterproof broad-brimmed or legionairre’s style hat is essential.
Flotation aids
Swimming and flotation aids are used to help keep children afloat and gain confidence as they become familiar with being in water. Children can use them while learning to swim, including during swimming lessons.
Some flotation aids which you can buy for your toddler include
- Swim seats with a sunshade
- armbands
- attached rings or water wings
- swimming aid vests.
- Back bubbles
Swimming and flotation aids are not safety devices. Children who cannot swim could drown if their swimming or flotation aid fails or if they do not use the aid properly.
Parents and carers should constantly watch children using these aids and make sure when purchasing that they conform to Australian Standards – always check the label.
Toys
Have fun in a backyard paddling pool or bath with squirters, funnels, buckets and floating blocks. Sand and water tables are another great way to keep children amused in the backyard.
Water safety alarms
While all Australian swimming pools should be fenced, an extra level of protection may be provided by electronic alarms which signal when a child is potentially in danger.
Some alarms feature child wristbands which alert a base station when the wristband is submerged in water.
Swimming pool alarms detect when a child or pet falls into the water and sound an alarm through the house.
Once again, alarms are no substitute for adequate supervision.
