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Summer Bummer: Poo in the Pool

One of the highlights of my family’s summer has been the near daily trips we’ve taken to our neighborhood swimming pool. Given that the summer of 2012 has been the hottest on record, I can’t tell you how grateful I am to live near this watery oasis of fun, especially since I parent a fish. Of course, I’m not the only mom who has made the pool a home away from home with her kids. In fact, with the record breaking heat wave we’ve endured this summer our pool has been packed to capacity on several occasions. The swarms of … Continue reading →

Safe Swimming With Your Toddler

Ah, summertime. There is nothing that calms an overheated and cranky toddler like a dip in the pool, lake, river, ocean, or even the bathtub. It is important to play it safe around water, and most parents know the basics of water safety. Things like supervising your toddler’s watery adventures, making sure your toddler gets out of the water before they get too cold, and teaching your toddler how to be safe in the water are probably second nature to most parents. There are some hazards, though, that you may not necessarily know about. Recently, at least one child that … Continue reading →

Summer Swimming Safety

Drowning is one of the leading causes of deaths among children under 12 years old. However, that’s not the only danger you have to worry about when you take your son or daughter to the pool this summer. My 7-year-old daughter is a fish. She swims with ease and is very mindful of water safety measures whether she is at the pool, ocean or lake. As a mom, my level of anxiety is quite low when we take a water-themed family trip because of my daughter’s ability to swim. So, imagine my surprise when my child suffered a pool-related problem … Continue reading →

Our Swimming Pool Adventures: Getting Ready

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It has been uncommonly hot this spring. The only problem with such high temperatures in the spring season is that none of the public aquatic centers are open. Our son and I have been longing for some water fun since late March (when we had a few days with temperatures in the high eighties). Knowing that we had a couple of months before the pools would open, I made sure that I had swimming suits for everyone. Last fall I bought a new swimming suit for our son when all of the swimming suits were on sale. Remarkably, his swimming … Continue reading →

Splash into Summer with a Pool Party

With the Fourth of July holiday less than two weeks away, many families across the nation are planning to celebrate our country’s independence with backyard barbeques and pool parties. After all, nothing says “Happy Birthday America” like sparklers and cannon balls. Of course, you don’t have to own a pool in order to splash into summer entertaining. If you don’t have a backyard swimming pool you could rent a large freestanding pool or take the party to a public pool. If you are planning to have a large soiree at your home pool, it’s not a bad idea to hire … Continue reading →

Ready, Set, Summer

My daughter’s last day of school was Friday. Her first day of summer camps and classes begin Monday. What was I thinking? I spent the better part of the day mapping out my 6-year-old’s summer schedule, and now that I look at it in black and white I’m beginning to wonder if I overscheduled the poor kid. Summer is all about having fun, which is why I signed her up for all of the camps and classes she enthusiastically asked me to. However, while organized activities are wonderfully enriching, there’s a lot to be said for spontaneous fun at home … Continue reading →

Parents, Preschoolers and Summer Safety

Summer’s not over yet. Just ask my preschooler, who has morphed into a little fish during the last few weeks. Like many kids across the country, my daughter has escaped to the swimming pool to beat the heat. Swimming is a great way to cool off, but it can also be dangerous. A new government report shows that children are drowning in swimming pools and spas at an alarming rate. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, an estimated 320 children under the age of 5 died in pool and spa incidents in 2007, the latest year for which the … Continue reading →

Toddlers and Summer Safety

If your toddler has been cooped up inside all winter, then he is probably going hog wild in the great outdoors this summer, playing, running, swimming and climbing. While there is no shortage of fun to be had at the park or in your backyard, there are also plenty of opportunities for your toddler to get hurt. Your tot’s summer fun can translate into bumps and bruise as well as cuts and contusions, so it’s best to be prepared. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents keep a well-stocked first aid kit on hand both inside their homes and … Continue reading →

Keeping Your Kids Fit and Safe This Summer

Now that school’s out millions of kids across the nation are spending their summer days having fun on the soccer field, basketball court and in the swimming pool. While these activities are great ways to burn calories and stay in shape, they often lead to sports-related injuries such as bruises, scrapes and broken bones. In fact, a new report shows that sports-related injuries accounted for 22 percent of hospital emergency department visits for children ages 5 to 17 in 2007. If you have an active young son, then you might not be surprised by the new findings. After all, according … Continue reading →

Tips for Preventing Summer ER Visits

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Want to stay out of the emergency room this summer? I know I do. Across the United States, emergency care facilities see nearly a twenty percent jump in traffic during the summer months… and now that I think about it, the majority of my ER visits have been during the summer. Knowing is half the battle… preparation and prevention is the other half. (Sorry, G.I. Joe!) Here are some things you can do to make the summer months safer and healthier. Always drink plenty of water. Dehydration is a huge health issue during the summer months! Always wear sunscreen. Yes, … Continue reading →