Pool Safety Tips From Duo Splash Floats

“When I went to the pool I would see a mom with her two kids in separate floats trying desperately to keep them together. She would have one hand on one float, the other on another float. All would be well until the kids would start splashing and kicking, getting water in her eyes, she would let go to wipe her brow and before she knew it they were starting to drift away from each other. She would grab them both and pull them closer and the cycle would continue. Pool time for her seemed to be quite the hassle and I knew I would be in that same predicament very soon. I just knew there had to be a better way.” – Tanya Sjodin

Can you relate to this experience? Well Tanya decided to do something about it and created Duo Splash Floats. The first and only float made for two small children. Today we are giving away floats to two Twiniversity families. Fill out the form below and read these pool time safety tips from Duo Splash Floats to help make your pool time safe and fun!

“The summer months means warm weather and lots of water fun. It means barbecues and boating on the lake. It means eating seafood and heading to the beach. Clearly the theme of summer time is fun in the water. Most little kids can spend all day long swimming in the pool, floating in the lake, and surfing the waves at the beach. While the water does bring lots of fun, there are also certain safety aspects we as parents must always keep in mind that go beyond protecting our kids’ skin from harmful sun rays.

Watching one kid is pretty easy for one parent, but watching two kids can quickly become a challenge. Of course, the level of difficulty also depends on the age of your children and their swimming abilities. It is much easier to watch a teenager, who can swim relatively well, and a toddler at the same time then it is to watch two small kids who may not be able to keep their heads above water by themselves. So, here are a few safety tips when enjoying your summer months on the water with two small kids.

First, closely supervise your kids in the pool at all times keeping them near you.   Make sure kids are wearing adequate life saving device flotation gear if needed. Do not let one kid play at the other end of the pool from where you are. If one needs to get out to go to the potty, grab a drink, or just take a break, everyone should get out. Do not leave your kids unattended in the pool ever, even if you will be gone just a few seconds.

Second, try to stick to pools and swimming areas where life guards are present. This way, there will always be an extra pair of eyes, or more if there is more than one lifeguard, watching your kids. Try to play directly in front of the lifeguard stand so you are in their direct line of vision.   Go to the pool with a friend or family member if possible so they can help you watch your kids. Even if they have kids of their own, at least there are now two pairs of eyes, plus lifeguards if you follow the suggestion above, watching your kids. The more sets of eyes there are the better.

Third, try to swim when there are other people at the pool. This goes back to the more sets of eyes the better so if you end up needing some help in an emergency, someone nearby could quickly lend a hand with whatever you may need.  If you are swimming at home ensure that rescue devices are readily available and even a phone nearby for emergencies.

Finally, look into water safety classes, rescue floating classes for infants and toddlers teaching survival skills, swimming lessons for older children, and CPR classes for yourself or babysitters.  Additionally, remember to deflate and put away all pool toys when you are done using them as children are attracted to try and get them if they are floating around in the pool.

If you follow the above safety tips, you will ensure your summer months are full of good times, laughter, and sun tans for everyone. Just because you have more than one kid does not mean you cannot get out there and enjoy yourself, you just have to take a few more safety precautions. Enjoy your summer and stay safe!”

-This contest has ended-

*To enter you must be a Twiniversity member. If you’re not already a member join for free here. You must be a parent, expectant parent or caregiver of multiples to join. Then fill out each section below.

[gravityform id=”25″ name=”Win Duo Splash Floats!”]

A Large Family’s Guide to Vacationing

By: Sommer Harkins- wife and full-time mother to five children.

-As a mother to five children, a simple trip to the grocery store requires strategicplanning and timing. Not too early, not too late…just in time to prevent a massive meltdown, but not long enough to interrupt normal routines and activities. Parents know the routine, all for a “simple” trip to the grocery store so one can only imagine the consideration given to something as momentous as vacation planning. Don’t fear…this mom of many has a few tips and tricks to help families small and large survive your next vacation!

A little planning goes a long way; especially when getting to your destination is half the battle! An exotic island vacation may seem like just the thing you need to feel rejuvenated and refreshed, but consider the siren screams of your little one, exhausted from hours of non-stop sitting in a confined space to get to your “fantasy island.” In our family, we typically choose to drive to our vacation destinations. This mode of vacationing seems to best suit our family once all things are considered such as ages of our children, their tolerance level, my endurance level, and distance of travel. When planning, I factor in the time it takes to get there and the number of stops it will take to keep everyone reasonably sane throughout the trip. Here’s where you can get a little creative:

Research fun places to stop on your way. Many localities advertise fun local attractions right off major interstates to attract tourists. Who’s in the mood for a quick snack of local produce at an area farmer’s market? Or a viewing of discarded thing-a-ma-jigs recreated into interesting art for all to enjoy? Maybe you’re just in time for an annual festival celebrating the area’s food, music and festivities.

Explore the great outdoors. Search out parks in the vicinity of your travel route, as this is a sure way to get kiddos nice and tired for the remainder of the trip. If you can’t find a park, use what you have! The grassy knolls of most rest areas offer a great place for children to burn off some steam. Be sure to pack an easily accessible bag of balls, bubbles, sidewalk chalk and jump ropes to use on these stops. You may even consider packing a small umbrella stroller for a brisk walk with your little one.

Feed the children-Not the animals. Be sure to pack plenty of drinks and snacks for your trip. However, consider the logistics of along trip vs. a normal car ride. Try to limit foods with large amounts of sugars and dyes, as these may lead to upset tummies on long car rides. Juice boxes and open containers may work ordinarily, but the use of sippy cups or water bottles may reduce spillage. The choice of savory snacks over sweet snacks may level out blood sugars to lessen the likelihood of food-induced meltdowns. Consider crackers and produce over cookies and gummies, water instead of juice. Don’t forget a change of clothes in the front of the car in case of emergency, as this will keep you from having to search through nicely packed bags all while holding a child covered in vomit. Get the visual!…

… the rest of the story (and more great articles) can be found in the Summer 2012 issue of Multiplicty Magazine on page 18. Make sure to subscribe for FREE here.

For more travel tips see these articles:

How to Travel With 3 Under 2

Cruising With Kids Is a Great Way to Vacation

Hotel Tips For Travelling with Twins

By: Sommer Harkins- Sommer is a wife and full-time mother to five children. As a mom to many, she knows first-hand the challenges of motherhood for women, whether working in or outside of the home. In her pursuit toward “joyful” motherhood, coupled with her desire to help other women, Sommer founded Mom Enthusiastically, where she assists mothers in the area of “home management” with the hope of inspiring moms to revitalize homes.