Summertime brings sun-soaked days, splashing in the water, and making memories with your little ones. 

While we've covered beach safety tips previously, it's important to address water safety around pools and at home. After all, creating a fun and safe environment is key to enjoying those hot and carefree summer days for little ones and adults.

A Deep Dive on Pool and Water Safety

Pools can be a source of endless fun for toddlers, but they also pose potential risks. Here's how to ensure your little one stays safe:

• Know Sun Safety: If you’re swimming in the sun, make sure you know the appropriate conditions for your child, including the weather report, the hottest part of the day, recommended clothing, sunscreen, and when it’s best just to stay indoors.
• Constant Supervision: This cannot be stressed enough: Never leave a child of any age unattended around any body of water, even for a moment. Designate a "water watcher" – an adult solely responsible for supervising children in or near the pool.
• Learn the Signs: Familiarize yourself with the signs of drowning in both babies and toddlers, which can be surprisingly subtle and don't always involve splashing or yelling.
• Prepare for the Unexpected: Take a CPR and first aid course to be prepared in case of an emergency. Encourage the adults closest to your family to do the same.
• Swimming Lessons:  Swimming is a life and survival skill, requiring full-body strength, proper breathing techniques, and coordination skills. Consider enrolling your toddler in swimming lessons. Even basic water skills can make a big difference for a young child.
• Fence It In: If you have a home swimming pool, install a fence that meets local safety codes and ensure it has a self-closing, self-latching gate.
• Kiddie Pools Count: Don't underestimate the danger of even small amounts of water. Never leave children unsupervised in or around kiddie pools or even buckets of water.
• Alternatives to Pools: Consider other water play options like sprinklers, water tables, or slip-n-slides. These provide plenty of fun and help your kids cool off in hot weather with lower safety risks compared to pools.
• Test the Water: Before your toddler gets in, check the water temperature with your elbow, not your hand. If it feels too hot for you, it's too hot for them.
• Empty and Flip: After water play, empty kiddie pools and turn them upside down to prevent them from collecting water. As they’re extremely curious and more mobile, this is an important part of pool safety for toddlers.
• Boating Safety: If you're taking your toddler on a boat, ensure they wear a properly fitted, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket at all times.

By taking these simple precautions for summer safety for your baby, you can make sure your summer fun is also safe fun!

Remember, give your child breaks often (every 15-30 minutes) to cool down and to rest, during which you can pull out your Happy Little People™ Toddler and Baby Activity Cards for activities anytime, anywhere.