African ‘Fertility’ Waist Beads 101

Posted on July 25, 2016

I went on a weekend getaway and rediscovered the waist beads my mom brought back for me from her trip to Sierra Leone, Africa earlier this year. It reminded me to share more about the beads on the blog because there is a long history in the beads that include fertility.

In fact, they are called “fertility beads” in some cultures. It is thought that they originated with the Yoruba tribe in Nigeria, West Africa but other West African nations like Ghana, Senegal, Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone have adopted them. They are considered to be “of the earth” or the source of life as many women wear them during pregnancy to protect the baby from evil spirits and ensure a safe labor and delivery.

Some wear them to encourage fertility. It’s not scientific of course, but steeped in tradition. Others believe the beads have healing property. Some African women wear them to ward themselves from negative energy.

Erotic Nature of Beads

In some parts of Ghana and Nigeria, people have a belief that the waist beads possess some erotic appeal and have the power to incite desire or deep emotional response on men.

They Symbolism of the Colors

The colors and stones or beads used in the beads have different meaning too. Colorful rainbow beads are considered to have balancing properties.

~Yellow- Symbol of wisdom/knowledge, clarity, increases awareness & stress relief.

~Blue- Symbol of knowledge, healing, peace, truth & harmony.

~Orange – Symbol of optimism, positive mood & promotes self-confidence.

~Pink- This color is associated with unconditional love, romance, purity, femininity & healing.

~Green – This color is associated with prosperity, hope, harmony & healing.

~Red – Self-confidence, vitality, sexual energy, passion & courage.

~violet – Color symbolizes intuition, power, inspiration & royalty.

~Gray – Symbol of wisdom & communication.

~Brown – Symbol of comfort, security, practicality.

~Black- Symbolizes energy & strength. (source)

Beads can be made with semi-precious stones thought to heal certain ailments. They are sold, made with all types of materials shell, gemstone, glass, plastic, pearl or even clay or wood.

How to Wear Them

Waist beads are created to be worn below the belly. I have worn mine at my mid-riff as well. Some prefer to wear them under their clothing only to be seen by themselves or their spouses or partners. Others flaunt them on bare bellies or even over their clothing.

Waistbeads for tracking Weigh Management

Many women wear the beads as an instrument in losing weight. When the strands begin to be too tight, the wearer knows it may be time to cut back and start exercising if they want to maintain their weight. Also, for those on a weightloss journey, as the beads become looser, they know they are definitely on a downard trajectory as the scales do not always indicate loss when one is building muscle at the same time as muscle weighs more than fat.

Modern Use

In modern culture, waistbeads have been adopted to flaunt and draw attention to a trim midsection or tight abs. Women in Ghana have worn them to accentuate their hips.

They are more of a fashion element though those who wear them ought to be aware of their cultural origins and significance just in case they are questioned or asked about them while out and about. It is the best thing to be aware when donning an item of clothing or style that originates in a culture that is not their own. You don’t want to be accused of “cultural appropriation.”

Cost

If you don’t have a family member or friend coming back from Africa, certainly, you can grab yourself some from Etsy shops. I found them sold Here, Here and Here for about $10 and up. If you spot any on sale for $5, they may not be authentic and genuine but a mass-produced copy. Beware!

Lupita Nyong’o, a Bellyitch Blog fave was spotted wearing one (above) back in 2014 when she was in Maui for the Maui Film Festival. She was seen looking tone and effortlessly chic in a Marysia Swim bikini and even Instagrammed a pic from the locale.

SHOP THE LOOK!

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10 Boss Tips for Organizing All Your Kids’ Toys

Posted on July 24, 2016

Kids accumulate a mountain of toys. Harried parents, especially those that work extended hours, may not have time to work out an organizational system to keep disorder to a minimum. Here are 10 tips for storing toys in a functional manner.

Keep it Low – Unless you want to spend your day fetching toys for your pint-sized charges, make sure that the bulk of your storage system is engineered for their short stature. Vertical storage may be great for older kids, but it just creates frustration in toddlers and can inspire them to embark on unsafe climbing expeditions for the things they want but can’t reach.
Use Bins and Baskets – While the number of toys your charges have acquired may have outgrown their toy box, put older toys aside as new toys come in, arrange a series of bins and baskets to contain the overflow.
Store Like With Like – Keeping toy trucks in one container and blocks in another helps a toddler find exactly what he’s looking for without emptying each and every bin of its contents during his search. This method also makes clean up easier for both you and your charges when playtime ends.
Keep Shelves Safe – Even low-slung shelves can present a tipping hazard if they’re pulled on with enough force, which can easily happen when a toddler attempts to climb them. Anchoring shelves to make them safe and to prevent injuries as a result of a top-heavy tip-over is an essential part of organizing kids’ rooms.
Make Favorites Easy to Find – Most children, even at the toddler stage, have a few favorite toys that see far more action than the others. Keeping these perennial favorites in easy reach makes her less likely to take out several toys that don’t quite live up to her expectations simply because her old faithfuls are nowhere to be found.
Store Special Occasion Toys Out of Sight – Modeling dough, bubble solution and any other messy toys that must be used with close supervision are best stored out of sight to help reduce the temptation to pull them out before you’re prepared to deal with the ensuing mess. By keeping these toys stowed away, you can also generate a ton of excitement when you do present them.
Make Clean Up Part of Your Routine Together – Children thrive when they have a relatively stable daily routine; making clean-up a regular part of your day and working together to put everything away helps toddlers understand that cleaning up is part of playing and that he’s partially responsible for helping to accomplish that task.
Designate Containers For Toys in Common Areas – If your children play with toys in common areas like the living or family rooms, designating one bin or container per child is an effective way of corralling toys while still keeping them separated. Color-coding containers helps kids who aren’t reading pick out their own bin as they get a bit older as well.
Hammocks For Stuffed Animals – Most toddlers have already amassed an impressive collection of stuffed animals and plush toys, but probably only have one or two favorites. Toy hammocks are a great solution because they are easy to put up and can accommodate several toys safely. Make sure, however, that hammocks are placed in a manner that doesn’t encourage scaling furniture in order to reach the toys inside.
Labels Are Your Friend – While your toddler-aged kids might not be able to read, labels are still among the most useful organizational tool at your disposal. You’re not likely to remember which bin is designated for each kind of toy without a clue; labeling containers helps you keep track of them and makes clean-up time as short as possible. Labels that have both pictures and words can also promote word recognition.

reprinted with permission

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Back to School: Hair Cut Styles for Boys

Posted on July 23, 2016

Soon, parents will be purchasing supplies, bookbags, clothing and other items to prepare to send their children back to school. Some school systems across the country and globe return to school as early as August, and others with year round school are going back in July, even. In addition to purchasing items, moms and dads may also be lining up hair cut appointments for their little sons.

There are tons of sites out there dedicated to hairstyles for girls but not too many dedicated to boys styles and cuts. Thankfully, more are coming on the scene. Alen from FancyHaircuts.com asked that we share a link to a recent post with over a dozen style and cuts to draw inspiration and ideas from, including those from the above collage: Visit the page HERE!

Good luck, parents and caregivers!

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Tips

10 Well-meaning but annoying things You can Say to a New Mom

Posted on July 22, 2016

Adding a new member to the family is supposed to be one of the most exhilarating, rewarding times of your entire life, and for the most part, it certainly is. There are times, though, when the prying questions and rude inquiries of others serve to momentarily spoil the mood of baby bliss. Most of the people who ask these inconsiderate questions aren’t even aware of how rude they’re being; in fact, they feel as if they’re only being nice. There’s just something about a baby that makes people feel as if it’s acceptable to meddle in a new mom’s affairs, and these are 10 of the most irritating things that regularly come out of those busy mouths.

“When Are You Due?” – To the chagrin of many a first-time mom, it’s not uncommon to still be wearing maternity jeans for weeks or even months after the birth of a child. When well-meaning passersby and casual acquaintances inquire about the remaining length of a pregnancy weeks after delivery, it can just compound the frustration of dealing with stubborn baby weight along with the demands of new motherhood.
“Are You Breastfeeding?” – There’s no doubt about the fact that breast is best, but that doesn’t mean that breastfeeding is feasible or even possible for all new mothers. There are plenty of extenuating circumstances that can affect a woman’s decision to breastfeed or go with formula, up to and including a simple disinclination to nurse. Regardless of others’ feelings on the subject, how a new mother feeds her baby is ultimately her own choice.
“Did You Have a Natural Childbirth?” – Few medical procedures open the door to invasive questions like a discussion about childbirth. Everything from anesthesia to bodily functions seems to be on the table and a valid topic of conversation, regardless of how invasive or personal those questions might be.
“Are You Going Back to Work?” – Some new moms will go back to work, and others will stay home with their children. Whichever choice they make, there is someone on the opposite side of the fence that will find fault with their decision.
“Isn’t Motherhood Great?” – For some women, new motherhood is a glorious and life-affirming experience that brings them more joy than anything they’ve ever known. Others, however, suffer from the very real symptoms of postpartum depression and may not feel like motherhood is something so altogether grand, after all. Excited inquiries about how wonderful they’re finding the world of parenting are great when they’re echoed, but they’re just hurtful and awkward for those moms that are struggling to settle into their new role.
“Is That Your Grandchild?” – Changes in the social structure and advances in modern medicine have also brought about changes to the face of modern motherhood. These days, it’s not uncommon for a woman to give birth well into her forties, leading plenty of confused onlookers to come to the conclusion that she’s looking after a grandchild.
“Did You Adopt?” – There’s more than one way to become a mother, and one of them is adoption. While there’s no shame in adopting, there are plenty of adoptive parents who would prefer to avoid the subject. Asking pointed questions about the origin of a child serves only to satisfy curiosity, and can be quite upsetting to a new parent.
“Are You the Nanny?” – Genetics work out in strange ways sometimes, leaving a biracial child looking far more like one parent than another. Being regularly confused for the nanny of a baby that more heavily favors his father is not only insensitive, but can get tiring very quickly for a new mom.
“When Are You Going to Have Another?” – When a baby is still in diapers, the last thing that most mothers are thinking about is adding another baby to the mix. Just as it’s rude to prod newlywed couples about when they’re planning to have children, it’s also very intrusive to ask a new mother about her plans to have another while her first is still an infant.
“Are You Getting Enough Sleep?” – In short, the answer will always be “no.” Asking a new mom if she’s getting enough sleep can feel like a kind of commiseration, but it’s also a question she’s been fielding since the moment she brought her child home from the hospital. Reminding her of the sleep she isn’t getting is more likely to bring on gritted teeth and short replies than anything else.

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Tips

You Need Laundry Tips; These 16 Blogs Got You Covered

Posted on July 21, 2016

Laundry is one of those necessary evils that most people have to do every week. Figuring out the easiest way to get out tough stains, like grease, food, sweat, ink and other stains, is important if you want to keep your clothes looking their best. If you are trying to be eco-friendly with your laundry, you can try some of the tips you’ll find on these blog posts. One of the nicest things about clean laundry is the fresh smell that your clothes have. You’ll find blog entries to help you with laundry odors as well. Check out these 25 blog articles to learn some new things about cleaning your laundry.

Greasy Stains

Unfortunately, greasy stains happen from time to time. Maybe you spilled some food on your shirt or your kids used their pants for a napkin after eating some French fries. If left alone, grease will not come out without being pretreated. Once treated, grease stains should come out of your clothes. Take a look at these five blog entries for tips on cleaning greasy stains out of clothing.

Organic Stains

Another common stain is an organic stain. An organic stain could be fruit juice, chocolate, sweat, grass or any other non-greasy food. These stains can be incredibly tough to get out, and may need to soak before being washed. Because of this, it’s important to make sure that you take care of the stain as soon as you notice it. Look at these five blogs posts for the solutions to your organic stain needs.

How to Remove Grass Stains

Ink Stains

You’ve probably seen some comedy gag where one guy squirts another guy with a fake flower that was filled with ink, or suffered from a big ink stain in a dress shirt pocket because of a leaky pen. Have you ever been holding a pen in your hand while you were carrying something, only to find that you drew on your shirt by accident? These types of things happen. Take a look at these five blog articles to find out the solution for getting rid of those pesky ink stains.

Eco-Friendly

Over the years the chemicals for cleaning your laundry have become safer for the environment, but the detergent manufacturers still have some room for improvement. The stain removers used by dry cleaners are especially harsh and aren’t great for the earth. You can use ‘green’ detergents that are store bought, or try making your own eco-friendly detergent. Check out these five blog posts to get some ideas.

Fresh Smelling

People like the fresh smell of clean clothes so well that the air freshener manufacturers have created a scent called “clean linen.” Now you can have your house smell like clean laundry all the time, even when you aren’t doing any. However, if you like the real thing you may want to read the following five blogs to find out how to get your laundry to smell clean and fresh.

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How Kim Kardashian Dropped 70lbs After Delivering Her Son, Saint

Posted on July 20, 2016

I was checking out my snapchat and saw a media outlet share Kim Kardashian‘s secret to dropping 70 pounds. It wasn’t surgery but diet and exercise.

She later shared those same tips with PEOPLE more recently. Essentially, the reality TV star did it through adopting the Atkins40 diet which requires consuming a balanced diet of about 1,800 calories a day and limiting carbs.

“I think dieting is so important to weight loss, whereas, I didn’t really ever think that before,” the business mogul said. “I thought, ‘Oh, I can work out, I can just eat whatever I want.’ But you have to work out all the time.”

It worked.

“[I] eat a lot of fish and turkey,” Kim said about her new diet. “It’s a full modified thing. I worked with [Atkins] in them sending me their snack stuff. And there would be this trail mix with M&M chocolates with peanuts, so there was stuff that makes it [so] you feel like you can live. And [you’re] not like super restricted to anything.”

She did lapse a bit after losing the initial 55 pounds.

“I started going to Disneyland and taking my kids and eating Churros and all that really crappy stuff that I love, but then you feel so s—– after you eat it, when you’ve been doing so good,” she opened up.

She said she hits the gym at 6am before her children get up and has been inspired by baby sister Khloe.

“[Khloe] does these workouts with these sauna suits underneath,” Kim revealed. “And she’s just…I’ve never seen someone so focused. I saw her naked two days ago changing and I was [like], ‘Oh, my God. You are my body icon.’ She’s never been more on fire.”

Tune into Keeping Up With The Kardashians tonight on E to see all the BYS at @fergie Milf $ video!
A photo posted by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on Jul 17, 2016 at 6:02pm PDT

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For Real this Time: Disney Introduces Its First 100% Latina Princess (TRAILER)

Posted on July 18, 2016

Disney’s first Latina princess is here and so is the trailer to the television series she stars in: Elena of Avalor.

Princess Elena Castillo Flores is empowered, a skilled sword fighter and is set to gain political control over her kingdom. No, she is not the typical damsel in distress princesses of yesteryear who waited in a tower to be rescued by Prince Charming. (No offense Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and Snow White). Really, ever since Brave, princesses haven’t been the same [See Brave‘s Merida, Rapunzel and Frozen‘s Anna] (smile)

On the cusp of ascending to the throne as Queen, Elena, the rebel does the dirty work to protect her land. She’s pretty bad a*#@!

Yeah, we said it!

Elena will be voiced by actress Aimee Carrero (Young & Hungry), who was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic before moving to Miami, Florida.

Unlike other Disney Princesses introduced in a motion picture, Elena of Avalor is a TV series which starts July 22nd.

And unlike “Sofia the First“, Disney’s first attempt at a Latina princess before facing backlash that she was too white, Elena is 100% Latina and has deep olive skin tone, and is not of mixed heritage as Disney was forced to reveal about Sofia amid the firestorm. (Read about that controversy HERE)

Others lending their voice include: Jenny Ortega (Jane the Virgin); Chris Parnell (Saturday Night Live); Yvette Nicole Brown (Community), Carlos Alazraqui (Disney Junior’s Sheriff Callie’s Wild Wese), Emiliano Diez (George Lopez) and more.

Watch the trailer here:

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6 Ways to Get Your Child To Cooperate with You

Posted on July 18, 2016

Children live in an adult world that requires patience, and has strict rules. They don’t always want to play along with the structure that is required for their parents to have a good and successful day. Tantrums are inevitable at times. But parents can arm themselves with some awareness tactics in advance to head off any problems in advance. Here are 6 ways to get your child to cooperate

1. Help map out the day as best you can for your child. Often, parents have an idea of what the day will be like, but fail to communicate those plans to their child. When possible, help her envision your day by communicating it with her either that morning or the night before. Younger children will need this to be repeated, so it can help to recap it a few times. It is true that plans might change, but changes will be easier if she knew what the plan was in the first place.

2. Give warnings when time is coming close for transitions to take place. Children tend to live entirely in the present, so they are usually completely engrossed in the activity they are involved in at any given moment. This is obvious for younger children, but is also true of older children. By giving your child warnings when you need to leave in 10 minutes, your child can begin to finish with what she has started. Timers can be a big help for these warnings for both you and your child. A timer can not only keep you on track to follow through with the time you allotted, but will also give your child an auditory clue to listen for.

3. Provide your child with choices so that she feels in control of the situation to some degree. It is very difficult for your child to be at the mercy of the adults in her life. Often times, the errands or activities she is being forced to participate in are not activities she would choose to do. You can ease this frustration by making small parts of the day her choice. Small children do well with two or three choices. “Do you want to wear the blue boots, the red shoes or the purple clogs?” Older children can help you decide where you will go first or what music you will listen to along the way. Simple choices can make the difference between a cranky child who drags her feet and a cooperative child who does what is asked of her. Giving teens the choice can relieve some of the pressure too. “The garbage needs to go out before 6AM tomorrow. Do you want to do it before you go to bed or early in the morning” You may know the most common sense option is to do it now and get it over with. But giving your child the option can ease the tension often felt by parents and teens.

4. Create excitement for the thing you are trying to get your child to cooperate in doing. You might be so caught up in completing your to-do list that you forget to enjoy the process. You are motivated to get the tasks complete because you can see the outcome. Your child could not care less about that outcome, she just wants to have fun. So if you want her to cooperate with you, you will need to bring a little fun to the to-do list. If you are running errands, build a little fun break into every other stop. If you are in the car for a long time, find some games to play, such as I-Spy or 20 questions. Help keep her mind going and you will find she is much more compliant.

5. Make sure all her physical needs are met before asking her to do something you know she will be resistant about. Is your child hungry, thirsty, tired, overstimulated, cold/hot or sick? It is hard for adults to operate when they have these needs. Your child will be understandably cranky when she needs food or has simply had too much. Take a break and don’t expect your child to do too much.

6. Make sure your child has enough time for play in her day. Parents today have a tendency to overschedule their children, filling their time with sports, art and other activities. The thought is that an active mind is a healthy mind. To a degree, this is true. However, if the mind of a child is not given the opportunity to think creatively and freely, it will begin to shut down. This is when children become easily agitated, inflexible and unsatisfied. To ensure that you have a more cooperative and helpful child, make sure that your child is given enough time for free play both with you and by herself.

Parents dream of a child who gets her shoes on the first time they ask or takes the garbage out when it needs to go out. Though it may not be possible for your child to do this with 100% accuracy, it is possible to improve her cooperation level.

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Wedding Season: 5 Things to Consider Before You Agree to Be a Pregnant Bridesmaid

Posted on July 5, 2016

Given that we are smack dab in the middle of Wedding Season, here is an oldie but goodie post for all you moms-to-be out there who have been asked to be a bridesmaid in an upcoming wedding:

It is a truth universally acknowledged that every bride-to-be shall be in want of a good bridesmaid…or three. And chances are that when a friend comes to you basking in that newly engaged glow and asks you to be one those bridesmaids, you’ll jump at the chance to support her on her big day:

The dancing! The shoes! The dresses! The CAKE!. Before you can say “yellow organza chiffon,” you’ve committed to being a bridesmaid and all that the honor entails. But what if you are expecting to have a big (and getting bigger) event of your own sometime in the next nine months?

1.THE COST

While the costs associated with being a bridesmaid can vary from wedding to wedding, one thing is certain: a baby on the way means unexpected expenses will be particularly unwelcome. After all, your priorities are changing, and whether it’s saving for diapers or a college fund, you want to make sure being a bridesmaid won’t mean being expected to pony up for expenses you soon won’t be able to afford. Accordingly, it’s important to clarify just what kinds of expenses will be expected of you ahead of time. A few to inquire after:

A. Will you be responsible for your dress, or will the bride pick up the tab? The same goes for those dyed shoes and your fabulous wedding day up-do and manicure.

B. If travel is involved, how costly will that be? Airfare, cab fare, hotel and eating out should all be considered.

C. How much (if any) will you be expected to contribute to a shower or bachelorette activities?

2. THE DRESS

Since bridesmaids dresses are known for being so lovely and flattering, finding a dress that will work while you are pregnant should be no problem at all! Um, yeah… Back on planet earth, bridesmaids dresses can be itchy, lumpy, scratchy, and pinchy (yes, you know pinchy is a word). But this is not to say that you cannot totally rock the pregnant bridesmaid look as long as you keep a few things in mind.

A. Comfort and Fit: Ultimately, you want a dress that flatters your figure and that you’ll feel great wearing. Look for a flowing empire-waisted gown, or a dress that can be ‘enhanced’ with an extra panel to accommodate that lovely baby bump of yours!

B. Alterations: Make sure you’ve got a good tailor who will be able to make last minute alterations a little bit in advance of the wedding date. As you know, all of those measurements are going to change. And then change some more.

C. Support: Speaking of those changing measurements, the right maternity bra can do wonders for a girl’s mood at a wedding, not to mention her back! Once you reach your third trimester, you will likely need to trade in those lacy bras and reach for something more substantial. Just don’t forget to make sure that your maternity bra works with your dress as the date nears.

3. YOUR DUE DATE

Let’s put this right out there: Going into labor at your friend’s wedding is not ideal. If your due date falls very close to the wedding date (or even within a month), you should feel free to humbly decline being in the wedding. Consulting with your doctor is also a good idea, as he or she will have likely dealt with this issue in the past and can make an individualized recommendation. However, if your due date is farther afield from the wedding date, then the most important factor to consider is likely to be travel. While most airlines will allow pregnant women to travel through their eighth month, you need to consider what your own personal comfort level will be.

Tips for safe air travel while pregnant include walking the aisles on your flight to prevent blood clots, drinking lots of water, and wearing your seatbelt under your belly rather than across it. Travelling during pregnancy can be challenging, but if you and your doctor think you are up for it, then you’re a go.

Just one thing though: You know those teeny tiny airplane bathrooms? Need we say more?

4. THE TIME COMMITMENT

She’s the friend who consoled you that time you broke up with that jerk during freshman year…and then consoled you again when you broke up with that other jerk that next year. She’s been with you through thick and thin and late night pizza runs. So of course you want to be the absolute best bridesmaid possible. But take a moment to consider what that might mean: stuffing invitations, licking stamps, shopping for wedding favors, liking her Facebook posts, and talking. Lots and lots of talking. You owe it to yourself and to your friend to think realistically about what you can handle during your pregnancy. No friend wants you to overtax yourself while you should be focusing on your health and the health of your baby. Let her know your concerns and ask in the gentlest way possible what will be expected of you so that you can both make an educated decision.

Going to a Wedding Soon? Need A Dress?

5. THE FRIENDSHIP STYLE

Before you say yes, think about the type of friendship/relationship that you have with the bride. Is it filled with drama or is it mostly peaceful?Communication will be key to making this situation work. She needs to understand that there will be times during this pregnancy that you will be tired, anxious, or painting adorable ducks on a nursery wall, and therefore will be unable to check out her Pinterest board right this moment. And you will have to understand that this is one of the most exciting times in her life, and that she will need your support throughout, even if your feet are swollen and throbbing, and the ducks need painting. If you two have that covered, the rest of the stuff will be a breeze.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Being asked to be a bridesmaid is an honor, for sure, and it’s no wonder you might be tempted to fill such a position for a friend you care about so dearly. But true friendship means knowing your limitations — something your friend should likewise honor and respect. And don’t worry: if you can’t participate as a bridesmaid, there are plenty of other ways to show your friend you care throughout this process. So, consider your next steps carefully and you’re sure to make the decision that will best balance your friendship and your own needs. And by the way, congratulations!

— Alyssa Ennis

Photos: Starcast, Pinterest

Low Heeled Shoes for Pregnant Women

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Fourth of July: Life Saving Pool Safety Tips to Avoid Drowning

Posted on July 1, 2016

It’s July 4th weekend which means thousands of families will be heading to the beach and possibly their local pools for some splashing about and fun in the sun. Also, as the summer rolls on, it remains imperative for parents to be vigilante and alert to keep their children safe. Lifeguards have a tough job to watch all the people within their vision and may not be able to recognize when your child is in danger rights away. Also, some home owners also have pools and must be reminded of safety tips.

In 1987, Life Saver Pool Fence coined the phrase “layers of protection” to describe the most effective way to prevent drownings. Almost 30 years later, everyone (including the US Consumer Product Safety Commission to the National Drowning Prevention Alliance) recommends layers of protection.

Five key layers of protection are:

1. Parent supervision

Nothing beats parent supervision. Proactive parent supervision is your most important tool in drowning prevention. When using the pool, active supervision means sitting close to the pool with your full attention on the child/children — no reading, no texting, just watching the pool. At parties/events, we recommend designating a person as a Water Watcher (we offer lanyards and whistles to give to the person to denote them), and change shifts every 15 minutes. Most drownings occur, though, when the child was thought to be in the house, nowhere near the pool area. In 67% of fatal drowning cases, a parent was responsible for supervising the child. So, supervision can and does fail, and that’s why you need additional layers of protection.

2. High locks on all doors and windows.

Locks out of the reach of children should be installed, and used, on every door and window that leads to the pool area. Lots of drownings happen because a parent didn’t know that the child had figured out the door knob, so don’t rely on the door being shut. Also, close up and doggy/pet doors that access the pool. Lots of children who drown got to the pool via a doggy door.

3. Pool Safety Fence

Pool fencing is the only layer of protection that physically isolates the backyard from the pool. Fences should be at least 4′ tall and have a self-closing, self-latching gate. Mesh pool safety fence, like Life Saver Pool Fence, has proven to be an effective layer of protection for over 45 years. It’s very transparent, aesthetically pleasing, and easy to remove when entertaining only adults.

4. Alarms

Drowning is silent. Alarms break that silence. There are door/window alarms, alarms that sit in the pool, and our favorite, the Safety Turtle which is worn on the child. If the child falls into the pool, an alarm inside that house goes off.

5. Swimming Lessons

All children should receive swimming lessons as early as their parents and pediatricians feel comfortable. Swimming lessons can begin earlier than one might think, some organizations training even infants to roll over and float, and to swim to the edge of the pool in the event that they fall in.

5.5 CPR

And if all of the other layers of protection fail, parents should be trained in CPR. Knowledge of CPR can make the difference between life, permanent disability, and death.

Have fun and Stay safe! Here is an Infographic with more tips:

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