Fun in the Sun

Babies under 6 months of age should be kept out of the direct sunlight. Move your baby to the shade or under a tree, umbrella, or the stroller canopy.
▪ Dress babies in lightweight clothing that covers the arms and legs and use brimmed hats.
▪ Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside, and use sunscreen even on cloudy days. The sun protection factor (SPF) should be at least 15.
▪ Try to keep children out of the sun between 10 am and 4 pm - that's when the sun's rays are strongest. Never leave children alone in or near the pool, even for a moment.
▪ Make sure adults are trained in life-saving techniques and CPR so they can rescue a child if necessary.
▪ Surround your pool on all four sides with a sturdy five-foot fence.
▪ Make sure the gates self-close and self-latch at a height children can't reach.
▪ Keep rescue equipment (a shepherd's hook - a long pole with a hook on the end - and life preserver) and a portable telephone near the pool.
▪ Avoid inflatable swimming aids such as "floaties." They are not a substitute for approved life vests and can give children a false sense of security.
▪ Children are not developmentally ready for swim lessons until after their fourth birthday. Swim programs for children under 4 should not be seen as a way to decrease the risk of drowning.
▪ Whenever infants or toddlers are in or around water, an adult should be within arm's length, providing "touch supervision."