Water Play Safety

As the temperature on the outdoor thermometer rises, so does the child's desire to spend time by the water. Whether the children in your care use an indoor water table or tub, an outdoor wading pool or sprinkler, or a full-sized pool, it is imperative to promote a safe, clean environment during water play.

Water play is the perfect activity for children of varying ages because each child can experience it in a different and unique way, depending on their age and skill levels. Besides the educational benefits, water play is a source of great entertainment. But, before you start hauling out the hose, here is the scoop on safety and sanitation precautions you should take.

Safe Water Play

Direct adult supervision is the most crucial requirement for safe water play, whether it is indoors or outdoors. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that drowning is the second leading cause of injury-related death for children less than 14 years. For children less than age four, drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death. Because children have been known to drown in as little as an inch of water, any child playing with water should be supervised by an adult who has undergone infant/child cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and water safety training.

In addition, when you are supervising children who are playing with water, minimize or eliminate distractions such as the telephone or conversation with other adults. Instead, focus on supervising the children and engaging them in water play. It also is important to discuss water safety rules with children; make sure they are aware that running, unwanted splashing, and "dunking" (forcing other children underwater) are not allowed around the water area.

When playing outdoors, watch children carefully for signs of overexposure to heat or cold. A child who is overexposed to cold temperatures may experience symptoms such as sudden fatigue, blueness of skin, or poor coordination, and may complain of feeling cold or numb. If a child has these symptoms, get him or her out of the water, into a warm room, and dress the child warmly until the temperature returns to normal. If the child does not improve within 10 minutes, seek immediate medical treatment.

For outdoor water play areas, make sure that lawns or playing surfaces are mowed and free of debris. To protect their feet from injury, children should wear shoes or sandals to and from the pool. Shoes also should be worn when playing with water tables indoors, and absorbent cloths or mops should be available nearby to clean up spills and minimize the risk of slipping.

If your facility has an above ground or outdoor pool, pool fencing can improve children's safety around water and is required in many states. The National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) estimates that fencing could prevent 19 percent of pool-related drownings among children younger than five years. Fences should be at least four feet high and should not have foot rails or handrails that children could climb on.

In addition, the slats of wooden fences should be less than 3 1/2 inches apart so that children's heads do not get stuck between them. Finally, the fence gate should have a secure latch that is out of children's reach and a lock that can be applied when adults are not present.

Sanitary Water Play

Water play can be enjoyable and sanitary, if you use the following tips:

• Use plastic toys and props for water play. Avoid glass items that can break, and metal items that may rust.
• If using soaps or bubbles with water play, choose non-toxic varieties such as "no-tears" baby shampoo or bubble bath, and avoid soap or bubbles that could cause eye or skin irritation.
• Empty outdoor wading pools after each use to avoid attracting insects, birds, and animals, prevent microorganism growth, and eliminate a drowning hazard. Cover the empty pool or bring it indoors.
• Keep microorganism growth to a minimum in larger or in-ground pools by using the proper pool chemicals, such as chlorine or bromine. Follow the directions on the label or talk to a local pool store representative about proper pool sanitation, and be sure to keep all pool chemicals stored in a locked cabinet away from children.
• After swimming, clean and dry children's ears with a towel or cotton ball to prevent swimmers' ear, also known as external otitis, which causes pain and itching when water and bacteria are trapped in the ear canal.
• After swimming or water play, all children and adults should wash their hands with soap and running water to prevent the spread of bacteria.

Children with colds, skin eruptions, or other possible infections should not use the pool. In addition, children who have diarrhea or have had diarrhea within the last two weeks should not enter pools. Germs, such as Cryptosporidium, E. coli, Giardia, and Shigella, from fecal matter can enter pool water. When swallowed, the contaminated water can make other children and adults sick. Most experts also recommend that children who are not toilet trained should not play in pools with other children, or should only enter when wearing tight fitting rubber or plastic pants.

If you allow diaper-wearing children to use the pool, make sure caregivers take them to the restroom frequently and only change diapers in the bathroom area away from the pool. After changing a diaper or taking the child to the bathroom, caregivers should wash their own hands as well as the child's.

Finally, teach children safe, hygienic ways to play in the pool. Kids should not swallow or spit pool water, and blowing noses or urinating should not be a part of pool play. Teach kids that keeping the pool clean means more fun for everyone!

RESOURCES

American Red Cross, 2025 E Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006; 202-303-4498; www.redcross.org/services/hss/tips/healthtips/safetywater.html

National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30333; 404-639-3311; www.cdc.gov

Stew Leonard III Water Safety Foundation, 100 Westport Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851; 203-750-6121; www.stewietheduck.com

INTERNET RESOURCES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Healthy Swimming, www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming

Sun Safety Alliance, www.sunsafetyalliance.org

Virginia Water Safety Coalition, www.watersafety.org

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