Swimming instructor warns parents not to put towel around kids' shoulders
Featured Image Credit: TikTok/@scarnati.swim
Topics: TikTok, Social media, Parenting, Health
Poppy Bilderbeck
Parents are flooding to social media in appreciation after a swimming instructor revealed the proper way to wrap your child up in a towel.
Nikki Scarnati - a certified ISR swim instructor, water safety advocate and drowning prevention educator - has taken to TikTok to educate parents about the best way to dry off their child and wrap them up in a towel after they've been for a swim.
It's such a minor adjustment to make but could potentially save your little ones' life.
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In the video, Nikki demonstrates 'a proper way to put your towel around your child' by comparing it to the way most parents would 'naturally' go to dry off their kid.
She explains: "I see it happen so many times, and I myself, as a parent, did it without even realising it was a thing."
Nikki then shows the typical way - the towel over the kid's shoulders and keeping them snug and warm.
However, the method could prove unsafe.
Nikki explains: "If they were to fall in the pool this way, all of their limbs are going to be restricted under a wet towel."
Instead, you should dry their arms off, then get your child to lift up their arms and wrap the towel around them - like you would yourself after getting out of the shower.
"That way, if they end up in the water, they still have access to their limbs to self-rescue and they're that much safer," Nikki resolves.
Viewers have flocked to the post in agreement with the tip and to thank Nikki for raising awareness of the issue.
One TikToker said: "I can confirm this is true. When I was two I fell into the deep end of a rec pool with my towel on around my arms and I had to be rescued."
"Also if they trip, they can catch themselves before hitting the ground," another added.
A third wrote: "That's a great idea! I bought my son an oversized towel hoodie so his arms stay covered but he's got mobility."
"Good tip thank u," a fourth said.
However, some users noted their child would likely rip off the towel if they tried to put it round them in such a way or their arms may get cold.
Nikki replied: "Try using a different style towel! They have tericloth robes they can wear after swim time tia tag warm also that helps keep them warm."