Safe swimming rules for children

On warm summer days, pulling a child out of the water is often a daunting task for parents. Children are ready to play all day and splash in the water, without even realizing the hidden obstacles beneath the surface. Many parents aren’t also aware of the existing danger, so before you take your kids to the pool, lake, river or sea, please carefully read through these safety tips and introduce your kids to these rules. 

Major safety rules for swimming in water bodies:

• Attend public water bodies, whose bottom has been explored and doesn’t contain dangerous items. It mainly refers to lakes and rivers. Children like to dive deep, without even suspecting what could be under water.

• Allow your children to bathe when the sun is not too strong to avoid sunstroke. The
  most favorable time for swimming on hot days is from 10:00 to 12:00 and from 16:00 to 19:00.

• If you want to teach your child to swim, you need to do this only in specially designated shallow areas of the reservoir.

• Don’t leave children in the water unattended, even though they can swim.

• Don’t allow your child to swim far away from the shore, as he may not be able to calculate his forces to make his way back.

• Water temperature should be at least 22 degrees, so that the child's body doesn’t get
  hypothermia, and that he has no chills and seizures. Children under 5 can stay in the water for no more than 5 minutes.

• Don’t ignore plates with the inscription - swimming is forbidden, even if the water is clear and warm. This may result in, at least, an intestinal infection, since many water reservoirs with such inscriptions contain various bacteria and microorganisms that are dangerous to health.

• Don’t bathe in case of open sores or any symptoms of sickness, such as fever and nausea.  

• Explain to the child that swimming in open water is different from swimming in the pool. Children must be prepared for slippery and uneven surfaces.

• Every parent needs to know first aid skills.

If your child likes swimming and you want to develop his sports skills, then you can register him for the first children's swimming and running competition in Moldova, Sea Mile Kids Aquathlon.

The Sea Mile Kids Aquathlon event is organized by mama.md, FTRM, the public sports organization Sporter and 999.md. The sporting event is due on July 15, in Valea Morilor Park. 

To register for Sea Mile Kids Aquathlon and learn more details, please visit https://seamile.md/en/.