Stay vigilant around any pool, even a baby pool. You may have purchased a kiddy pool because it appears safer than a large pool, but even a small amount of water requires your constant supervision. (Children can drown in a few inches of water.) You must exercise the same precautions as you would with a tub, and keep your child within arm’s reach. Don’t put your child in a kiddy pool until he is at least 1 year old.
Empty your child’s pool after each use and store it upside down. Not only is your goal to remover the existing water, you also want to turn it upside down so it can’t fill with rainwater. Your little one is used to playing in the pool, and if she sees it filled with water—even rainwater—you are inviting trouble.
Choose a hard-sided pool rather than an inflatable pool. It’s best to look for a hard-sided pool, but the fact is, most kiddy pools are inflatable, and if you have one of these, you must closely supervise children while in the pool. Always empty the pool and turn it upside down when they are not in it. Once your child is big enough for a larger pool, choose one with hard sides and rigid supports, rather than a larger inflatable pool. Because the sides of an inflatable pool are pliable, it’s easier for a child to topple in if she leans on it. However, even hard sides with rigid supports can collapse if a child leans on them, allowing her to slip in, so never leave your child unattended and keep your eyes on her at all times.
Get more helpful advice from Consumer Reports Guide to Childproofing & Safety, and Consumer Reports Best Baby Products, both also available in bookstores nationwide.
