Tag Archives: drowning

Au Pairs Prepare Now for Summer with Pool Safety Class

Au Pairs in Victoria Paton’s Cluster gathered in our Rockville “Cluster Cottage” to brush-up on their pool safety skills for both public and home swimming this year.kids jumping in

Life guard Aileen Farrell of Montgomery Country spoke about being vigilant (do not rely on the pool life guard to watch your children – you must also be vigilant), what drowning looks like across a crowded pool – hint: it is less obvious than you’d think, talking to host parents before pool season about escorting children to changing rooms/toilets, using objects at pool-side for water rescues etc.pool safety

Please take a look at the video now. It could save a life.

Here is another useful video.

The American Red Cross provides very useful information here.

Lifeguard Speaks to Au Pairs

Pool Safety was the topic that Aileen Farrell, Lifeguard at King Farm, stressed at our June Cluster meeting.  Topics covered: Being alert around and in the pool, changing room policies, what to do if a child falls in, how to assist pool life guards by supervising the children in Au Pair’s care and more.4860

There are a few great websites with information but most recently the Today show offered:

 

 

 

Water Safety Day is May 31 at the Gaithersburg Water Park – Stay Safe at the Pool this Summer!

KidOpeningPoolFenceAs you and your family prepare to beat the heat with a day at the pool this summer, don’t forget to stay safe!  Learn all about staying safe at the pool or lake at Water Safety Day, happening Friday, May 31, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. The free swimming event will take place at the Gaithersburg Water Park, 512 S. Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg. Presentations will be available every 30 minutes on such topics as drowning prevention, proper use of life jackets, water rescue skills, skin cancer prevention and even swim lesson evaluations.  Food will be available for purchase. The event is co-sponsored by the City of Rockville, the City of Gaithersburg and Montgomery County

Victoria will be there from 330-4pm

In any case, if your Au Pair will be caring for children at your home pool or at a public pool, PLEASE print out this form and go over it with your Au Pair: http://www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/water-safety

Also, here is a great video to watch with your Au Pair and family.

Too often, firefighters hear people say, “I just looked away for a few seconds.” Unfortunately, just a few seconds is all it takes for a child to drown.

Most of these children drown in their own backyard swimming pool, but others drown in buckets, bathtubs, toilets, dog water bowls, canals and ponds. Small children are top-heavy, and they don’t have the upper body strength to lift themselves out of one of these dangerous situations. Even if the child survives the incident, they are often left with permanent brain damage.

Drowning and near drowning can be prevented, and you can help! Anyone involved with the supervision of children needs to be aware of the dangers associated with any body of water. Below are some useful tips to prevent these needless tragedies.

  1. Know where your children are at all timesPool Safety
  2. Use an approved barrier to separate the pool from the house
  3. Never allow children to be alone near a pool or any water source ladders away from pool fences
  4. Post the 9-1-1 number on the phone
  5. Do not allow children to play around the pool and store all toys outside the pool area
  6. If you leave the pool area, take the children with you
  7. Always have a “designated child watcher”
  8. Learn to swim
  9. Never swim alone, or while under the influence of alcohol or medications
  10. Never swim when thunder or lightning is present
  11. Never dive into unfamiliar or shallow bodies of water