LilSugar

Weekly Faves: 5 Inspiring Outdoor Spaces

Elka Karl — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:02:14 PST

This week, my mind is drifting to fabulous vacation spots - poolside, of course! Come continent hopping with me as we explore some gorgeous pools in London, the Maldives, and other spots across the globe.

On a Tight Budget? Get an Affordable Workout, Courtesy of Your Neighborhood

Heather Dale — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 02:02:35 PDT

Often times when the sun is shining, the last place I want to be is inside a gym. I'd much rather go for a run, a bike ride, or strap on my rollerblades. Another option? Utilizing the great fitness amenities my neighborhood has to offer: public tennis courts, calorie-burning steps, swimming pools, football stadium stands, and even a public track to use when training for marathons.

Here's how to find some inexpensive fitness gems in your neighborhood:

Swimmer's Guide: Use this amazing website to access an entire database of public pools across the US (and the rest of the world!). Learn whether pools are indoor or outdoor, their length, and if they have special rates.
Find a Court: Just enter your zip code and Find a Court will pull up a list of all the tennis courts in your area. You'll be able to see how many courts the facility has, whether there are lights or a pro shop, and if it's a seasonal court.
World Stadiums: Search your city to see if there are any stadiums where you could either use the track for running, or the bleachers for climbing or running up.

Source: Flickr User Dru Bloomfield

More Than Water to Watch Out For at the Pool, Take This Quiz!

babysugar — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 07:00:00 PDT

Don't open your eyes underwater! While the lil ones enjoy splashing around, mama may have other things on her mind. Pools and the structures that surround them are breeding grounds for a variety of warm weather ailments. Take this quiz and see if you know what to look out for once the Marco Polo game ends.

Take the Quiz

Dive Into Summer Fun With Toss Across

babysugar — Sat, 29 May 2010 05:00:00 PDT

Everybody in the pool! With the long weekend, community water holes, as well as backyard swimming pools are open for business and kids are grabbing their goggles and getting ready to dive in. As part of your Summer pool prep, stock up on some new pool-friendly toys and games that will entertain tots long after their marathon cannonball contest.

Toss Across Splash ($40) brings tic-tac-toe into the water with a floating game board filled with Xs and Os. Players toss beanbags at the board to turn over the targets and reveal the Xs and Os. The first one to get three across, wins. The game, designed for kids 8 years old and above, involves strategy, skill, and physical activity as the players dive after the beanbags. Tic-tac-toe has never been so wet, or so much fun! For more pool-worthy picks, check out the items below.

Wild Planet Outdoor Antics ($25)	Swimways ESPN Swimming Challenge ($35)
Toss Across Splash by Fundex Games ($40)	Hot Potato Splash ($15)
Flip The Frog With Lily Pads ($18)	NERF SOAKER WARS SHOT BLAST (Blue) ($20)	Swimways Crazy Chase Dive Ball ($10)

When Poop Hits the Pool

babysugar — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 12:00:00 PDT

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 PDT

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.

Tips to Keeping Kids Safe Around Residential Pools

LilSugar — Sat, 23 May 2009 06:00:34 PDT

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.

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Be Safe While Cooling Off Public Poolside This Summer

LilSugar — Thu, 21 May 2009 10:00:21 PDT

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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Mommy Alert! Make Sure Pool Has Proper Drain Covers

LilSugar — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 14:00:00 PST

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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Would You Buy a Home With a Pool?

LilSugar — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 09:00:39 PST

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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