Water Safety For Kids

Summer means water fun for kids, and that means increased responsibility for parents. We want our children to enjoy the water, but we also want them to learn respect for it. It can be a friend or an enemy.

I believe that all children should learn to swim, so of course I think that swimming lessons are great for kids. But, we can’t depend on the infant drown-proofing course to keep little ones safe, however fearless and accomplished they may seem to be.

• The first rule, then, is never turn your back on a small child near water. Repeat to them often that they should never go into the water alone or without an adult nearby.

• Though they can’t eliminate your responsibility, there are some good pieces of flotation equipment for children in addition to the traditional life vest. Do not, however, confuse inflatable types of toys for supports. Items that can inflate can deflate and may fail to keep children afloat.

• If your child is not a good swimmer, don’t let him take inflatable support toys in areas with water over their heads unless you’re with them.

Vicki Lansky’s practical, common sense approach to parenting is familiar to millions throughout the world. Vicki’s first book, Feed Me, I’m Yours, published in 1974, and still one of the most popular baby/toddler food cookbooks in the country, was followed by The Taming of the C.A.N.D.Y. Monster, a #1 New York Times bestseller. Her other titles include: Toilet Training, Birthday Parties Best Party Tips & Ideas For Ages 1-8, Dear Babysitter Handbook, Welcoming Your Second Baby, Getting Your Child to Sleep … and Back to Sleep, Trouble-free Travel with Children, Baby Proofing Basics and Games Babies Play From Birth to Twelve Months, Koko Bear’s New Potty, A New Baby at Koko Bear’s House, Koko Bear and the New Babysitter, and Koko Bear’s Big Earache. Vicki Lansky’s Divorce Book for Parents: Helping Children Cope with Divorce and Its Aftermath