Children and swimming pools are a magnet for each other and we would all like our children to be not only be safe in the pool but to learn how to swim well enough to save their lives. Therefore many families use their holidays to help their children to advance their skills with some concentrated swimming time.

It is important for you as parents to relax on holiday but water safety is an area that you can not and should not compromise on so sensible precautions should be observed at all times.

Sadly there are still far too many accidents reported each year of children drowning in pools in hotels and privately let villas and apartments so follow these simple guidelines to ensure your children are safe. Remember that drowning is the second most likely incident for children under the age of 14 and that children can drown in only a few inches of water.

Pools in hotels should always have depth markings shown on the sides of the pool and if the depth differs from one end to the other this should be clearly marked.

DO

• Check you know the phone number of the local emergency services and save on your mobile phone.
• Learn the basics of resuscitation techniques so that you can keep your child alive until the emergency services arrive.
• Check that hotels have a life guard on duty.
• Ensure non confident swimmers use approved buoyancy aids and can always stand up in the pool; never let a child get out of their depth.
• Always supervise your children in the pool up the age of at least 15, older if you are concerned.
• Check that the pool is properly maintained and is cleaned and chlorinated properly prior to use.
• Ensure pool covers are completely removed prior to using the pool.
• Test the pool's temperature, some pools are so cold that the body can go into shock if you jump straight in from the side without acclimatizing slowly.
• Make sure children wear t-shirts if swimming during the hot part of the day.
• Remove children from the pool as soon as you hear or see a storm approaching.

DO NOT

• Leave young children unattended in the water, even for a moment, even if they are wearing a flotation device.
• Supervise children unless you are proficient in the water yourself.
• Let your children dive into the pool unless it is a minimum of 1.5 metres deep and diving in water under 3.5 metres deep is only suitable for shallow dives. If in doubt about your children's abilities, do not let them dive.
• Let your children jump in near steps or other obstacles.
• Swim in the dark or outside of pool opening times.
• Let children walk on pool covers.
• Let your child swim alone even if they are over 15 it is safer to swim in groups in case of incidents.
• Allow running around the pool or leaping in uncontrolled.
• Use inflatables that you cannot see though in case they become trapped underneath and remember, as after safety aids they can be let go of or deflate.
• Allow children to enter pool for at least 45 minutes after eating.
• Chew gum or eat while swimming.
• Allow glass, bottles or cups, by the poolside, use only plastic containers.
• Forget to re apply sun screen regularly, especially after swimming