A mum has been hit with criticism after indicating she was happy to leave her four-year-old son alone in the pool while wearing armbands.
I'm sure I don't need to tell you that it's been absolutely scorching in the UK recently, and I bet most of us would love nothing more to spend every day lazing around in a swimming pool.
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Lots of parents will likely be planning to do just that as the summer holidays approach, but a debate started online after this particular mum questioned how hands-on parents really need to be by the pool.
In a post on Mumsnet, the parent asked other users whether it was 'unreasonable' to 'leave a four-year-old alone in [a] pool'.
Adding a bit of context to the situation, the mum's post went on to clarify that the youngster would have armbands on, and that she'd be 'sitting at the side on a sun lounger'.
"[I'm] just curious because I noticed all the other parents getting in or following their 4/5/6 yr olds around," the mum said, adding: "Maybe I’m being too relaxed."
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The post was soon flooded with responses, and while some other parents suggested it's 'fair enough' to watch on from the side of the pool, others argued it was a big no-no.
One response branded the mum 'irresponsible' for her suggestion, while another critic responded: "I apologise for rolling my eyes, couldn't quite believe anyone could be so blasé about water safety."
Another parent shared their own experience to stress why leaving a child isn't a good idea, writing: "I have an 8-year-old who is a good swimmer but we still watch him closely in a pool. Kids muck about and can easily get into difficulty even if they can swim.
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"I was a lifeguard for several years at a local outdoor pool and have seen too much to not be very cautious."
"Don’t even think about it. Why wouldn’t you be in the pool with her?" another comment read.
The website Safe Kids Worldwide stresses that people responsible for children by the pool should 'watch kids when they are in or around water', and make sure 'young children and weak swimmers within arm’s reach of an adult'.
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The site also encourages parents to teach children to swim, and to make sure kids know five water survival skills.
These are as follows: Step or jump into water over their head and return to the surface; Turn around in the water and orient to safety; Float or tread water; Combine breathing with forward movement in the water; Exit the water.
There's a lot of temptation for everyone to cool off in the heat, but make sure safety comes first!
Emily Brown