Pool safety tips for families from the YMCA and “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood”

Image above courtesy of “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.” 

The folks who produce “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,” have teamed up with the YMCA to help parents of preschoolers keep their families safe as pool season begins.

A new “Daniel Tiger” episode, released this week, shows Daniel and his friend Juan Carlos having fun at a pool while pretending to be whales. Here’s a clip from the episode:

Along with watching this new pool-themed episode as a family, parents can share with kids a “Daniel Tiger” song about staying safe near water. It’s a great way to start a conversation about pool safety with kids.

To help families discuss this important subject, Lindsay Mondick, director of strategy and quality practices of aquatics at the YMCA of the USA, shares these safety tips:

Always Ask Permission: One of the most important things a parent can do is to instill a simple rule before a day at the pool, beach or lake: Always ask permission before entering any body of water, Mondick says. From bathtubs to oceans to a backyard pool, kids should understand the importance of asking permission before they enter the water.

Find Your Water Watcher: Whenever children are in or around water, make sure an adult is identified as the official “Water Watcher.” This person is tasked with keeping an active eye on and supervising everyone around or in a body of water, with no distractions, Mondick says — no phones, no books and no conversations. You can let children know that the Water Watcher is always there to help.

Use the Buddy System: Never let your kids swim alone, despite how strong of a swimmer they seem or claim to be. The Buddy System exists for a reason. Before you leave for the pool or beach, designate specific swimming buddies for everyone in your group, Mondick says, even yourself. No one is too old for water safety!

Suit Up Accordingly: Swimsuits and sunscreen are not the only things kids should be sporting around the pool this summer. Mondick recommends that Coast Guard-approved life jackets should be used to keep kids safe, in or around any body of water. Do not rely on water toys, such as inflatable floats or pool noodles, as safety equipment.

Ban Breath-Holding Contests: Breath-holding contests are a common pool game, but they can also be dangerous, Mondick says. Do not encourage a child to hold their breath for a long time while swimming, as it can lead to complications and a possible emergency.

Water safety is such an important thing and the steps parents can take actually can be quite simple. Research done by Alive Solutions compared swimsuit colors for their visibility in water. The results are striking. While white, light blue and other muted shades can disappear, colors like vivid reds, bright oranges and bright yellows remain visible.

As you’re getting ready to suit up this summer, take time to discuss the YMCA’s pool safety advice with your whole family — and get a musical assist from Daniel Tiger and his pals.