As parents, we always want to prioritize our children’s safety, especially when it comes to activities like swimming. We teach them how to swim, make sure they wear sunscreen, and keep a watchful eye on them while they enjoy the water. But did you know that there’s one common mistake many parents make without even realizing it? It’s time to learn about the hidden danger that lurks outside the pool.
The Warning from a Swimming Instructor
Nikki Scarnati, a certified swimming teacher, has been sharing valuable tips on pool safety through her TikTok videos (@scarnati.swim). She emphasizes the importance of creating a secure environment for children to swim and offers practical advice for parents to implement at home. It’s time to pay attention to what she has to say, especially about a seemingly innocent act that can put our children in danger.
The Hidden Danger of Wrapping in Towels
You might be surprised to learn that one of the biggest risks involved in post-swimming activities is wrapping our children in towels. It’s only natural for kids to feel chilly and shiver after swimming, and our immediate reaction is to keep them warm by wrapping them in a towel. However, this innocent act could actually pose a danger to their safety.
Nikki created a TikTok video to demonstrate this issue. She shows the contrast between the traditional way parents wrap their kids in towels, and what they should actually be doing. Wrapping the towel over their shoulders and arms puts children at risk of drowning if they were to accidentally fall into the water.
The Proper Way to Wrap Your Child
To ensure your child’s safety, Nikki demonstrates the correct way to wrap them in a towel. She advises parents to place the towel underneath their child’s arms, allowing their arms to remain free. By doing this, children have the ability to use their arms to swim to safety if they were to end up in the water. It’s a small change that can make a big difference.
Nikki’s tip promotes self-rescue and provides an extra layer of protection for your child. It is vital to remember that their limbs should always remain accessible in case of emergencies.
Additional Tips and Advice
In response to questions and comments on her TikTok video, Nikki offers additional advice. If your child tends to move the towel to cover their shoulders for warmth, Nikki suggests wrapping it and tucking it in the back so they can still move freely. Alternatively, you can consider using a different style of towel or a Terry cloth robe. The key is to find ways to keep them warm without compromising their safety.
It’s also worth noting that wrapping the towel beneath the child’s arms has an added benefit. In case your child trips, they can use their arms to catch themselves and avoid hitting the ground. It’s a simple precaution that can prevent unnecessary injuries.
A Little Extra Caution Goes a Long Way
Many parents who watched Nikki’s video applauded her for the helpful tip and expressed their gratitude for raising awareness about this important pool safety issue. By being aware of this simple mistake, we can ensure better protection for our children while they enjoy their swimming experience.
Remember, a little extra caution can go a long way in keeping our kids safe. So, let’s make sure we don’t wrap our children in towels and instead wrap them with love and proper pool safety precautions!
