As a parent, one of your most important responsibilities is keeping your children safe. As we approach the start of summer which means pool time, a doctor at SignatureCare Emergency Center shares his opinion on how to keep kids safe.

With Memorial Day celebrations behind us and sweltering summers in front of us, children throughout Texas will be heading to area swimming pools.

Dr. Kanti Bansal, an emergency room physician with SignatureCare Emergency Center said that while this is a good thing, there are hidden dangers parents should be aware of.

“Summer is when we see most pool accidents, drownings, and near drownings in our emergency rooms, and many of these accidents are preventable,” Dr. Bansal said.

He added that parents need to know it can take just a few seconds for serious swimming pool accidents to occur.

He cautioned parents against leaving their children in the pool without adult supervision, saying doing so is a disaster waiting to happen.

“It takes just a few seconds. You get distracted by a cellphone ringing, or you leave the pool area to take a phone call and that is all it takes. If you have to leave the pool area, take your child with you.”

Dr. Bansal said because some community pools may not have life guards present, it is imperative that a parent or an adult supervise the children.

“Some pools may not always have a lifeguard present, but even if there are life guards there, parents and guardians should assume the responsibility of watching the kids at all times. Never assume that someone else is watching your kids.

 

“It takes just a few seconds. You get distracted by a cellphone ringing, or you leave the pool area to take a phone call and that is all it takes. If you have to leave the pool area, take your child with you.”

 

“When the parents cannot be present either due to work or other reasons, there needs to be a designated Water Watcher present. This person should not be allowed to do anything besides supervising the kids.”

He said parents should take the responsibility to teach their children how to swim, or if the parents cannot swim, enroll the kids in free or reduced-cost swimming lessons.

“There are many free or reduced-cost swimming lessons available in most cities through the local YMCA, USA Swimming, or Texas Parks and Recreation Department. Parents should seek them out and take their children there before letting them in the swimming pool,” Dr. Bansal said.

The ER physician said that while swimming is fun for kids and a good way to get needed exercise, not being cautious can easily turn a fun day at the pool into tragedy.

“It does not take much to make pool day fun day for everyone. We just need a little vigilance,” he said.