usvi-on-line
toddler safety
toddler safety
This is the first time three generations will be traveling to St John and Grandma has a question. The two grandchildren, ages one and two, are both very mobile and very fast. I am concerned about their safety on the pool deck. We will of course be with them and watching them but I worry about them. I was thinking they should be in swim vests or jackets just in case. What do other families do?
i think swim vests /life jackets are necessary --it only takes a moment!
also what we have done at Maho in teh past is gotten that netting that goes around the rails so they can't fall thru the rails (if you have a deck that merits this)
also what we have done at Maho in teh past is gotten that netting that goes around the rails so they can't fall thru the rails (if you have a deck that merits this)
< leaving on the 22nd of march...but too lame to figure out the ticker thing again!>
Yes, I agree 100 percent, anytime they are outside, in the pool, near the pool-- or not (at least that is what I would do).
Also, since it sounds like a large group, I would lean towards an "assigned adult" at all times...someone who knows it is their job to watch the kids for a certain time period. You don't want to get in a situation where everyone thinks someone else is watching.
especially if alcohol is involved.
Finally, just based on a scary experience we had...the first night be sure to orient the kids and let them know where their bedroom is in relation to their parents "this is where you go if you need me" kind of thing. We once were in a hotel, put the kids down while they were asleep. They didn't get a good look at the room. Our 3 year old got up in the middle of the night (I am sure she was looking for us), WENT OUT OF THE HOTEL ROOM, and the door locked behind her. Luckily I heard knocking which woke me up. And for some reason opened the door (which I normally wouldn't do). There was my 3 year old crying in her pajamas- in the hallway.
We were so lucky to have a happy ending. Anything could have happened.
Also, since it sounds like a large group, I would lean towards an "assigned adult" at all times...someone who knows it is their job to watch the kids for a certain time period. You don't want to get in a situation where everyone thinks someone else is watching.
especially if alcohol is involved.
Finally, just based on a scary experience we had...the first night be sure to orient the kids and let them know where their bedroom is in relation to their parents "this is where you go if you need me" kind of thing. We once were in a hotel, put the kids down while they were asleep. They didn't get a good look at the room. Our 3 year old got up in the middle of the night (I am sure she was looking for us), WENT OUT OF THE HOTEL ROOM, and the door locked behind her. Luckily I heard knocking which woke me up. And for some reason opened the door (which I normally wouldn't do). There was my 3 year old crying in her pajamas- in the hallway.
We were so lucky to have a happy ending. Anything could have happened.
By all means, regardless of what others think, do what you feel is best for your childrens safety. I vividly recall a time whem my kids were little, 1&2 yrs. and we were on vacation and in the pool. I was with my daughters in the shallow end in the corner with one on each side in arms reach. I turned to the one on my left and a few seconds later looked to check the other and found her on the bottom of the pool, on her back with arms and legs flailing.There had been no noise at all, Just slipped under. Grabbed her with my right hand while holding the other with my left. She came up smiling and wasn't even choking. I was like 22 and will never forget that. It only takes a heart beat or two. My grand kids are never around any pool or water without some form of flotaion on. No exception, no how, no where, period.. They are 4 and 7 and in the process of swimming lessons. Got to swim the pool under water before the rule is slackened.
BOB
Flashback to 1997 at Hart Bay Beach House, my almost 6 year old ran full speed into a clean sliding glass door. The door survived and my daughter got an enromouse knot on her forehead. We put masking tape across the doors after that.
Villas are not child-safe.
Cheers, RickG
Villas are not child-safe.
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes - Coral Bay - St. John, VI
Our only problem with our now 3 year old, who has multiple trips under his belt, has been with tiled pool decks.
Our 2007 rental had a completely tiled pool deck (and house) and he fell many times. Thankfully, he was at the age where his center of gravity was low and most falls were butt first.
Consideration for the bedrooms and the kid's sleeping arrangements would be top of my list in planning. Our son sleeps in our room in his own travel bed/tent thing.
Personally, I am not comfortable with having him in a seperate room in a strange house with a pool yet I don't use floaties around the pool - to each their own concerns.
RickG's slider story is worth noting, we had a problem with that also.
Our 2007 rental had a completely tiled pool deck (and house) and he fell many times. Thankfully, he was at the age where his center of gravity was low and most falls were butt first.
Consideration for the bedrooms and the kid's sleeping arrangements would be top of my list in planning. Our son sleeps in our room in his own travel bed/tent thing.
Personally, I am not comfortable with having him in a seperate room in a strange house with a pool yet I don't use floaties around the pool - to each their own concerns.
RickG's slider story is worth noting, we had a problem with that also.
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smilesfromMN
- Posts: 141
- Joined: Mon Jan 01, 2007 10:19 am
- Location: MN
One other thing (probably more applicable to slightly older children), teach your children to stay away from the pool drain(s). We had a tragic case here in MN where a little girl was playing in an 18" kiddie pool and sat on the drain while playing. Her body covered the entire drain and the suction ripped out her bowel and intestines. She did survive the initial surgeries and treatments, but several months later she did die due to complications. So sad - and so preventable. I know that there is now a law (in honor of this little girl) to install safer pool drains in all public pools, but you never know what you are dealing with in a private villa pool. Not to scare anyone, but just be aware and teach your kids to avoid the drain.
Wakey,
I know it is gross, but I had the exact same conversation/warning with my children when we were there over Thanksgiving about the hot tubs.
That is not an isolated case-if people haven't read about it, they need to know. There have also been drownings for the same reason (stuck on the drain).
I'm not a paranoid person at all by the way....
I know it is gross, but I had the exact same conversation/warning with my children when we were there over Thanksgiving about the hot tubs.
That is not an isolated case-if people haven't read about it, they need to know. There have also been drownings for the same reason (stuck on the drain).
I'm not a paranoid person at all by the way....
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smilesfromMN
- Posts: 141
- Joined: Mon Jan 01, 2007 10:19 am
- Location: MN
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aroobagirl
- Posts: 316
- Joined: Fri Apr 13, 2007 2:58 pm
- Location: Fairfax, VA
We just got back from St. John and had our three year old with us. We made her wear a life vest called a "puddlejumper" made by Stearns. It is really cute and she loved wearing it which made life much easier! I highly recommend them.
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=406124
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=406124
[quote="djmom"]).
Also, since it sounds like a large group, I would lean towards an "assigned adult" at all times...someone who knows it is their job to watch the kids for a certain time period. You don't want to get in a situation where everyone thinks someone else is watching.
especially if alcohol is involved.
We instituted a pool rule for just such times. My sister in law is a safety advocate and suggested we have a designated pool watcher anytime the kids were in the pool area. We used one of my son's fencing medals as the token for the person who was on pool patrol. If that person needed to leave the pool area, they had to pass it along to someone else. This avoided the "I thought You were watching the kids" problem, and,as you said "especially if alcohol is involved". Given their ages, I would also invest in some sort of life jacket and have them wear it anytime they're near the pool. They also sell pool alarms which would alert you if someone fell into the pool, but I have no personal experience with those.
Also, since it sounds like a large group, I would lean towards an "assigned adult" at all times...someone who knows it is their job to watch the kids for a certain time period. You don't want to get in a situation where everyone thinks someone else is watching.
especially if alcohol is involved.
We instituted a pool rule for just such times. My sister in law is a safety advocate and suggested we have a designated pool watcher anytime the kids were in the pool area. We used one of my son's fencing medals as the token for the person who was on pool patrol. If that person needed to leave the pool area, they had to pass it along to someone else. This avoided the "I thought You were watching the kids" problem, and,as you said "especially if alcohol is involved". Given their ages, I would also invest in some sort of life jacket and have them wear it anytime they're near the pool. They also sell pool alarms which would alert you if someone fell into the pool, but I have no personal experience with those.
It goes to show you that many people have experienced something with children around pools.
My husband saved a child who was at the bottom of a pool and revived him.
All because his Mother was laying on a chair sunning herself. Actually, she's the one that's lucky to be alive after I got through with her.
You can't look away for a second.
My husband saved a child who was at the bottom of a pool and revived him.
All because his Mother was laying on a chair sunning herself. Actually, she's the one that's lucky to be alive after I got through with her.
You can't look away for a second.
Rick is right there are no child-safe villas just safer options. There is no substitute for keeping eyes on them at all times.
My older daughter has always been a very cautious soul so I worry less about her, but my son knows no fear so I worry a lot more about him.
We've gone at ages 10 months, 19 months (hardest BY far), 3, 5 and 6. This summer they'll be 2.5 and 7.
For the 10 month old renting a bouncer worked miracles. You can put them in there and you know they can't get out (well at least mine couldn't). When you can't have full 100% attention on them at least you know they aren't going anywhere. Same for a pack n play. I know the "playpen" concept has gone by the wayside but neither of mine ever complained much if I put them in there for a few minutes (esp. with new toys).
Tag teaming works well for us as well. The designated watcher thing is KEY. I dont know about others but my hubby tends to be distractable unless he KNOWS he is on watch duty.
The best tip ever ... take Gram or other people who LOVE your kids. They make all the difference in the world.
My older daughter has always been a very cautious soul so I worry less about her, but my son knows no fear so I worry a lot more about him.
We've gone at ages 10 months, 19 months (hardest BY far), 3, 5 and 6. This summer they'll be 2.5 and 7.
For the 10 month old renting a bouncer worked miracles. You can put them in there and you know they can't get out (well at least mine couldn't). When you can't have full 100% attention on them at least you know they aren't going anywhere. Same for a pack n play. I know the "playpen" concept has gone by the wayside but neither of mine ever complained much if I put them in there for a few minutes (esp. with new toys).
Tag teaming works well for us as well. The designated watcher thing is KEY. I dont know about others but my hubby tends to be distractable unless he KNOWS he is on watch duty.
The best tip ever ... take Gram or other people who LOVE your kids. They make all the difference in the world.
