LilSugar

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?
Source

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.

View Slideshow ›

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

View Slideshow ›

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.

Source

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.

Source

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?
Source

Tubes Out of Water: Four Million Floats Recalled

LilSugar — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:56:53 -0700

Get the kiddie tubes out of the pool! Before you set your child out to sail in the swimming pool, check out the more than four million flotation devices that have been recalled by Chinese manufacturer, Aqua-Leisure. The company makes many of the popular water items sold for between $8 - $15 at national retailers like Toys R Us, Kmart, Target and Walgreens. Though no injuries have been reported (likely because parents were supervising their children), 31 incidents of the leg straps tearing and causing tots to fall into or under the water were filed. If you have one of these inflatable devices, discontinue use and contact the company for a full refund.

Tyler Perry Turns Act of Racism Into Trip For Inner City Kids

LilSugar — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 13:11:00 -0700

It's a shame when narrow minded people make the world an ugly place for children. Earlier this month, a private Philadelphia swim club was accused of discriminating against youngsters from an inner-city Summer camp who paid to swim at the facility. After some racist comments were made by pool patrons, the camp's check was returned and the 65 participants were told they were no longer welcome there. Parents like to believe the world is a better place for their kids, but incidents like these taint that vision.

Actor, writer and producer, Tyler Perry decided to step in and turn this negative situation into something positive for the children involved. The talent has offered to send the campers to Disney World and treat to all of the expenses - transportation, hotel, admission and food. He said:

"This is awful, and for anyone that has grown up in the inner-city, you know that one small act of kindness can change your life. I want them to know that for every act of evil that a few people will throw at you, there are millions more who will do something kind for them. This is all about the kids."

A trip to visit the Mouse sounds much better than a dip in the pool.

What Benefits Make Work Life Balance a Reality?

LilSugar — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 09:00:45 -0700

Working parents know that there are choices and sacrifices that must be made when juggling their home and office commitments. Our own Commander-in-Chief recently lamented the events and milestones he missed while on the campaign trail or attending meetings, but whether or not those choices define success in the business world is still up for debate.

As the number of dual-income families continues to rise, many employers are trying to help mom and dad maintain some sort of work-life balance with programs and tools designed to reduce their levels of stress. The White House has given aides with tots priority in receiving laptops and has offered for aides' children to use the newly installed swing set and swimming pool in hopes that parents will see their offspring more. Many private companies offer flex hours to allow parents to work from home or finish up work once the kids have been tucked into bed. What benefits would be most helpful to you as a working parent?

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?
Source