Choosing the best flotation device for children
It's December holidays and with the heat and festive atmosphere, children will be heading straight for the swimming pool.
Parents are faced with a daunting task if their children are not yet capable of swimming by themselves.
Heading to the shops to find a flotation device for their children, also known as a “floatie”, they are faced with never-ending choices.
How do you know which is the right one for your child?
Choices can range from blown-up inner tubes to water wings, noodles and life jackets to name a few.
Most parents go for the popular water wings, but according to the website, www.thescientificparent.org, water wings are not approved as a flotation safety device and can easily slide off the arms.
It states that the other popular devices are floats built into swimming suits, but this can also not secure the child’s safety.
The site recommends the use of life jackets for a child learning to swim.
This means that your child’s movement is not limited and the jacket is secured to his or her body, not having the possibility of sliding off.
It does not mean that when your child is secured with a life jacket it is a replacement for constant adult supervision.
If the parent cannot constantly be at the pool, make sure there is always trustworthy adult supervision.
https://thescientificparent.org/
