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When Poop Hits the Pool

babysugar — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 12:00:00 -0700

Any child of the 80s will have a hard time forgetting the Baby Ruth scene from Caddyshack. But contrary to Bill Murray's declaration, it is a big deal when a tot poops in a pool. The dark matter can spread bacteria like E. Coli and Hepatitis A, parasites or other germs. A thick unbroken stool is often better than a diarrhea type disaster, but in either instance, moms should notify other swimmers and the lifeguard. Unfortunately everyone will have to get out of the water while the matter is removed and chlorine levels are tested and adjusted but at least the chances of infecting others is decreased.

An embarrassing experience for the child and her mother, some moms choose to take their tyke and run, never notifying the pool keeper of the accident. Others put the alert out and cause everyone to get out for at least a small break, if not longer. What would you do if your babe went number two in the pool?
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Party by the Pool...And Play It Safe!

LilSugar — Sun, 24 May 2009 06:00:40 -0700

The holiday weekend is in full swing and you've probably got some wet events penciled in on the calendar. If you're planning a poolside soiree, here are some tips to keeping the festivities kid-friendly. While parents are off mingling, it's not uncommon for a tot to slip in the pool for a dip without notice. So plan ahead with these tidbits of advice.

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Be Safe While Cooling Off Public Poolside This Summer

LilSugar — Thu, 21 May 2009 10:00:21 -0700

Taking your tots to the local swimming hole may not be as exciting as the one that set the seen for the love affair between Kate Winslet and Patrick Wilson in Little Children, but afternoons of Marco Polo and creative diving board tricks will keep you interested. Though lifeguards and management companies are responsible for public pools’ cleanliness and safety, there are several precautions families should take to ensure a great experience.

Before entering a public pool, parents should:

Look to see that the pool water is clean and clear. If you can’t see the bottom drain, the pool is not clean enough to enter.
Make sure the drain covers comply to the new VGB Act. The new covers should have either a domed shape or large grates to prevent swimmers from being entrapped under water.
Ensure that the pool staff have updated certifications in CPR and First Aid.
Keep sick children out of the pool. Even with a swim diaper, tykes with diarrhea can spread waterborne, disease- causing germs such as Cryptosporidium (Crypto).

For tips once your tot has entered the pool, read more.

Upon entering the pool, parents should:

Watch their own children. Don’t rely on the lifeguards to watch your children for you.
Keep children within arms length when in the water.
Encourage lil ones to avoid swallowing pool water. Kids only need to swallow 10 particles of Crypto to get sick.
Take frequent bathroom and diaper check breaks to avoid accidents.
Change diapers in bathrooms, not poolside and wash their hands with soap before reentering the pool.
Reapply sunscreen often as children can still get sunburned while playing in the water.
Comply with lifeguard-instructed adult swim breaks, they are designed to give kiddos a rest.

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Kelly Rutherford Battles Ex on Son's Safety Around Home Pool

babysugar — Thu, 21 May 2009 08:00:47 -0700

All a youngster needs to hear is the words, "swimming pool," to dash in and slip into a bathing suit. For parents, an open body of water means entertaining the "what ifs" that can cause stress and panic. Even well skilled wee swimmers fall victim to tragedy in an unsupervised pool.

Gossip Girl's very pregnant Kelly Rutherford is in a battle with her estranged husband, Daniel Giersch, over pool safety at his residence. Concerned for her 2-year-old son, Hermes' safety, the actress went as far as hiring a private eye to tape her ex's home for three days to illustrate the danger his uncovered pool poses to their young son. In court documents, Giersch said:

Hermes is not in any danger whatsoever with regard to my pool because I have the pool fully covered with an automatic pool cover. Hermes has no access to the pool area unless I take him to the pool myself.

Would you allow your child to stay or visit a home with an uncovered pool?
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Would You Buy a Home With a Pool?

LilSugar — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 09:00:39 -0800

Rumors abound that our favorite tensome, the Gosselins, purchased a beautiful new home complete with an abstract pool. While the thought of a backyard pool conjures up visions of parties and hours of tot fun, the responsibility -not to mention liability - may be more than parents are willing to take on. Would you consider buying a place with a swimming hole?
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Turtle Keeps Tykes Safer Around Swimming Pools

LilSugar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:45:47 -0700

When I take my kids swimming, I'm usually a bit on edge, as my son is attracted to the pool's edge. For parents who want to safeguard their children around water, particularly if they have a pool in their own backyard, this turtle band sensor alerts moms and dads if their lil rascal slips into the pool. Secure Baby's Child Water Safety Alarm ($150) works similar to a baby monitor. A soft turtle wristband is fastened to the tot's arm, and if he ends up getting wet, the base sounds. The set comes with one turtle band, but parents with multiple children can purchase additional ones ($60). While this product acts as an extra method of protection for kids, it should only be used in addition to adult supervision.

Dry Drowning, Boy Dies an Hour After Swimming

LilSugar — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:00:19 -0700

Supervising your children while they swim is a given, but what about once they get out of the pool? A South Carolina boy died one hour after swimming. According to an NBC report, fourth grader, Johnny Jackson died of asphyxiation by drowning, also known as dry drowning after he walked home from his local pool with his mother, had a bath and retired to bed for a nap. Dry drowning, which amounts for about 10 to 15 percent of all drownings or near drownings, occurs after a person swallows fresh or salt water, meaning it can happen even after a tot has been in the tub. And, the child doesn't have to ingest large amounts of fluid so parents should look for warning signs - difficulty breathing, extreme fatigue and abnormal behavior.

Mommy Alert! Make Sure Pool Has Proper Drain Covers

LilSugar — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 14:00:00 -0800

Before you take your kids out to take a dip next Spring, check to make sure the (public, private or residential) pool has safe drain covers. Children have been terribly injured, paralyzed and died after the suction of a pool's drain has trapped them underwater. In one incident, it took two adults to pull a young girl from a hot tub. Despite their efforts, she passed away. Though a federal law went into effect in December, not all states are properly enforcing it so parents should take precautions.

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Tips to Keeping Kids Safe Around Residential Pools

LilSugar — Sat, 23 May 2009 06:00:34 -0700

Walking out your backdoor and a refreshing pool to exercise or relax sounds ideal, but when children are in the picture - it's best to take numerous precautions. A whopping 67 percent of lilsugar readers said they would buy a home with a backyard pool, but having such a luxury comes with plenty of responsibility. Take a look at our tips for ensuring a safe backyard. Source

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What Is Your Worst Mommy Cell Phone Moment?

babysugar — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 08:00:52 -0700

Cell phones can be mommy's best friend and her worst enemy. They can entertain wee ones beyond their wildest imaginations in addition to teaching them the alphabet, shapes and math facts. While they may be excellent distractions for meddlesome miniatures, they can be more menacing for the mature mama.

For starters, no teacher wants to see a mother chatting up with her chums during carpool. Even worse is a parent getting lost in a conversation while driving a truck full of tots around town. Many moms take advantage of pool time to mosey off to chatter land lending a not-so-watchful eye. And just the other day, I witnessed a 3-year-old wiggling her way through a fourth floor balcony. My husband sent security up to check on her and they reported back that the mother was in fact present but on her cell phone. What's the worst cell phone offense you've committed in regards to your child's safety?

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