Pool guards (not lifeguards)

[ceh]

Can anyone tell me what the options are for guarding pools - my sister is going to stay at the villa in May but is worried about her 5 year old falling in/going into the pool. Her solution is that she's going to lock him in the villa. I know there are covers and some sort of fencing but don't know what the options/costs are.Is it possible to hire anything?

[widge]

Teach him to swim?

[Gambrinus]

At 5 years of age maybe it would be a good idea to sinply equip the child with those inflatable armbands.



That way, if he does fall in, he won't sink, he can get himself out and learn to swim in the process.

.... and just in case it is not written on the waterwings: A 5 year old needs supervision. Locking ihim in the house can be just as dangerous (unless you found one with a padded room) if he is not supervised

[maccasa]

sharks help

[Jaylay]

I agree with the armbands, if there is a pool nearby young children it is always best to put the armbands on as soon as they get up in the morning, a second without your eye on young children can be a second too long.
Another word of advice if there is a fight getting the armbands on let the child jump into the pool without them, (of course with an adult already in the pool to rescue them) and just watch their face when they go under, a quick lesson that usually works.

[laserblazer]

There's always a danger that you will put them off the water doing that. I agree about the arm bands.

[ANDY]

http://www.kidskontact.com.au/proddetai ... afetyangel

[carolyn]

My great nephew (now nearly 5) has been out to our villa for the last three years. My niece has always put him in a sort of little jacket with foam inserts - looks a bit like a mini life jacket. They look like these that I have just found by googling 'childrens swim vests"
http://www.drippinwetswimwear.co.uk/shop/lts3.html

They have obviously always been vigilant as well.

[ceh]

Thanks for the suggestions - he can swim already and I'm sure he'll be supervised well but as my dad would've said 'he's a determined little blighter' who thinks he's 12 years old like his brother.

[Helyg]

Armbands are not sufficient, they can slip off when falling / jumping in, the vests are much safer, you can also get a clip on device which bleeps on a monitor when it enters the water, worth every penny