3280 Steeles Ave W, Unit #22, Concord, ON L4K 2Y2
Thanksgiving to March 31st:
Mon — Fri: 9 AM - 5 PM
April 1st to Thanksgiving:
Mon & Fri: 9 AM – 5 PM
Tue – Thu: 9 AM – 8 PM
Hot Tubs
Pool Kits
Equipment
Winterizing
Pool Covers
Chemicals
Accessories
Pool Fun
Commercial
Home Systems
Parts
Playing Safe with Pool Toys
Pool toys have become incredibly popular in Canada and around the world in the past few years. The popularity of massive, impressive floaties on Instagram have made them in-demand and more affordable than ever. Most pool owners now have a huge collection of pool toys.
Pool toys are a great way to add some extra fun to the pool. But, it is important to be aware of how to play safely alongside your pool toys. Some of the most popular toys on the market can actually pose a danger in certain situations, particularly to children.
Take some time to explore how to play safely with swimming pool toys so you can have a blast in the pool without worrying about safety.
Pool safety equipment versus pool toys
It can be easy to mistake a floating toy with a floatation device. A floatation device like a life-jacket is very different from arm-bands, inner tubes, or other pool toys. Licensed floatation devices are designed to fit snugly, keep the swimmer upright, and ensure proper buoyancy in the water. They are designed for survival, rather than fun.
Many floatation devices seem as though they will keep a young child or new swimmer safe, but are not intended to be as durable or reliable as a floatation device. You cannot rely on floating toys to keep anyone safe in the pool alone.
Poorly designed pool toys
Most pool owners recognize that pool toys have become much more affordable in the past few years. Items that could only be purchased at specialty stores are now popping up in places like dollar stores for a fraction of the cost.
It is really fun to be able to pick up a new variety of pool toys. But, with reduced cost comes reduced quality. Plus, many toys available now are based on previous designs, but made in a much less reliable way.
You cannot replace life-saving floatation devices with pool toys. But, this new trend of lower-quality toys has made the problem even worse. Smaller, cheaper, ill-fitting armbands, tubes and floats are likely to simply fall off. Some floating inner tubes may actually flip a child upside down the water, and many will simply sink under the full weight of a child.
False confidence in the water
One of the major risks of playing with pool toys is creating a false confidence in children and parents. It can be easy to assume a child is safe because they are playing with a floating toy, or because they have armbands on in the water.
But the truth is, many of these toys are so ineffective as life-saving devices that they actually increase danger in the water when they are present. Parents may feel more confident about looking away or getting distracted, and may not notice the signs of a child that is struggling but partially afloat.
Children are also prone to false confidence in the water. If your child generally goes swimming with a life jacket on or a floating toy in hand, they may not be aware of their own limitations in the water without them. This can lead kids to jump or dive into water they are not ready for, surprising parents and creating a dangerous situation.
We recommend that you keep all non-pool toys out of your swimming pool. Not only do certain toys pose a safety issue if thrown or stepped on, small toys can damage your swimming pool and even floatation devices as they are in use.
Supervision is essential
No matter what is happening in the pool, supervision is absolutely essential. Even the strongest and most confident swimmers can run into trouble in the case of an accident or emergency. But, it is even more important that you supervise children every moment they are in the water.
We recommend that you make a house rule that no one swims alone for this reason, and that everyone who will act in a supervising role be totally aware of the dangers of every aspect of your pool. It can be especially helpful if your family members take a lifesaving, CPR or pool safety course to help. It can also be helpful to instruct your kids on safe water play, and to get them into swimming lessons as early as possible. With some diligence, supervision can remove much of the risk of a swimming pool.
Finding high-quality floatation devices
If you are in the market for a reliable high-quality floatation device, make sure you consult government guidelines on exactly what you need:
To understand more about how and why these ratings have been created, you can find out more about Canadian floatation device standards here.
Anyone with their own pool or a love of swimming is likely to gather a collection of swimming pool toys over a few summers. Toys can add a lot of fun to a day of in the pool, but only if used safely. Be sure to select toys that are safe for you, your family, and your pool. Every time pool toys are in use, make sure you’re vigilant about how they are being used – and enjoy a safe and fun summer of swimming.
Enjoying the water safely
A swimming pool adds so much joy to every summer, and it is the perfect way to get exercise and enjoy your own home more. But, owning a swimming pool comes along with a lot of danger. Worrying about pool safety can cause stress. But, when it comes to pool safety, knowledge and preparation can go a very long way.
Make sure that you and other adults in your home are aware of the dangers of pool toys, and the importance of correct supervision for swimmers. This way, you can make sure that your backyard swimming pool is safe, fun, and a source of joy every summer.
