A splash in the swimming pool might be the perfect way to spend a summer day. But no matter how much fun your child is having, it’s important to be safe.
For National Drowning Prevention Day on July 25, we interviewed Jennifer Lilintahl, the co-owner of SafeSplash Swim School, a fast-growing learn-to-swim franchise designed by world-class swimmers, including five-time Olympic gold medalist Missy Franklin.
The program, which has several locations throughout the DMV, uses warm-water pools and a progressive curriculum focused on not just the ability to swim but how to get out of dangerous situations safely. Here are some tips she shared to help families make their child’s swimming experience safe and fun at the same time.
What, according to you, is the number one tip that parents should keep in mind while their children swim?
Parents should never leave a child unattended near the water. They should always make sure there is adult supervision and there are adults assigned to watch each child. This sounds easier [said] than done. Parents could be at the beach or at a pool party and lose track of their child. They should never assume that someone else is watching their child, and every adult should know exactly where each child is. If they need to step away, they should request another adult to watch their child. Accidents happen in the blink of an eye, and usually for reasons like this.
Which age group is most prone to accidents around the water?
Statistically speaking, it is young children. Mainly between the ages of 3 [and] 5.
How do you think parents can best prepare for a safe swimming experience on their end?
Swim lessons are a big part of that. This involves education for both the parent and the child. It is also important for children to understand what they can do, and what they cannot do, in the water. I think swim lessons do all of that. They teach important safety skills and also help a child grow into a calm and confident swimmer.
What is the number one mistake that parents make which leads to inadvertent accidents?
In addition to being careful about their children and watching them while they’re in the water, I think it is also important for parents to ensure that they do not instill fear in the mind of a child for any reason. Keeping this in mind, children still need to be taught to be careful around the water, to not go in without an adult and seek permission before going into the water. I think a lot of it lies in education—not only for the child, but also for the parents.
What measures can swimming pools (such as public swimming pools, private swimming pools) or families who have swimming pools in their backyards take to become safer for kids?
To begin with, I think it is important to have trained lifeguards who are paying significant attention to what is going on in the water. For families who have swimming pools in their backyards, there are a number of cautions that should be non-negotiable. Some of these include having alarms, sensors or blocks around the pools. Parents and adults need to be the ones who are supervising the children. It is important for them to be responsible for the whereabouts of children at all times.
Diving boards are an essential part of the swimming experience. How can they be molded to provide a safer and more accessible swimming experience?
Diving boards are only installed in the pools with very deep ends. They should be monitored by lifeguards, who should make sure that the children who are using diving boards are those who can swim in deep water. If there is a doubt about this, then swimming tasks should be assigned to ensure that a child can actually go off a diving board.
What measures can older age groups take to ensure a safer swimming experience? What is the most common mistake that older groups tend to make?
I think most of it lies with the parents. Parents don’t provide access to swimming lessons for younger children because they think that they are too young or have other activities. But I think that parents should make it a priority for children to have access to swim instruction from a younger age so that they don’t go from a younger age to an older age without knowing how to swim. Parents are busy. They have a lot going on, and even children are involved in a lot of activities, such as gymnastics and soccer. Despite this, I think learning how to swim should be non-negotiable, because in addition to being a life skill, it is also a potentially life-saving skill.
How do you think the area around swimming pools can be secured to ensure a safe splash for children?
Like I said before, I think it is important for the area around the swimming pool to be fenced for safety. There should be sensors and alarms installed around pools. Most importantly, it is very important for each individual child in the swimming pool to be watched by an adult.
Do you think meals should be planned before and after swimming lessons? If yes, what should parents take care of?Â
Dairy should be avoided before a swimming lesson, as it can upset a child’s stomach. Too much sugar should also be avoided, as it does not settle well. This is why we recommend a healthy and light snack such as fruits or a granola bar before a swim lesson. After a swim lesson, depending on how intense it is, a good healthy snack or a sandwich would be a good idea.
What is SafeSplash Swim School specifically doing to ensure a safe swimming experience?Â
We are providing high-quality swimming lessons that are safe and fun. We are also hiring passionate and qualified swim instructors who are competitive swimmers and have experience working with children. Children will respond to something that is fun and interactive, and we make sure that our lessons are structured that way.
SafeSplash Swim School has locations throughout the DMV in Maryland, D.C. and Virginia. To learn more and find a location near you, visit safesplash.com/find-a-location.
