Keeping children safe at swimming pools

Ritstjórn
Photo taken at a swimming pool.

Swimming pool visits increase during summer, and swimming is popular with both children and parents. With the joy of going swimming comes great responsibility, especially when children are along. For everyone to enjoy their swimming trip safely and pleasantly, safety must always come first.

The Icelandic Red Cross has launched an educational and prevention campaign about child safety at swimming pools. The campaign was developed in partnership with Reykjavík City and the Association of Swimming Pool Directors in Iceland (SFSÍ, Samtök forstöðumanna sundstaða á Íslandi) and reaches the entire country.

Rules tightened to increase safety

In recent years, rules about children at swimming pools have been tightened for safety reasons. The rules address the minimum age for those who come to swim alone, which is 10 years old (June 1 of the year they turn 10). A swimmer 15 years or older may bring two children under 10 to the pool, but parents are allowed to bring all their children. Those who bring groups swimming have great responsibility. Swimming pools in the capital area have joined together and tightened rules beyond the regulation, allowing 8 children per instructor instead of 15 as stated in the regulation on group swimming trips.

Photo of child at swimming pool with text about child safety.

A child can drown in 30 seconds

Children ages 1-4 are most likely to get into trouble swimming or drown, followed by children ages 5-9. A child can drown in 30 seconds. This campaign focuses primarily on parents and other guardians of children in this age group and emphasizes never taking your eyes off a child in water. Adults who bring children to swimming pools are responsible for their safety. Non-swimming children must have appropriate safety equipment such as arm floats, which can be borrowed at all swimming pools. Having a child wear floats or other safety equipment doesn't guarantee that nothing will happen.

Good advice for parents and guardians who take children swimming or near water can be found on the Red Cross website, and we encourage everyone to read it carefully.

Swimming safety is everyone's responsibility. Are you sure you're watching?

5 tips for child safety at swimming pools

  1. Keep your eyes on the child at all times.
  2. Give the child food and drink before going swimming.
  3. Keep up your child's swimming skills throughout the summer.
  4. Set safety rules around water and teach your child about water safety.

  5. Learn CPR and first aid.

    Reminder for parents of children at swimming pools.