Swimming instructor warns parents not to put towel around kids' shoulders

The internet has taught us another valuable lesson and this time it’s all about how to properly wrap your child up in a towel after they’ve taken a dip.

With the summer months approaching, it’s likely that you’re starting to think about booking in some holidays.

If you have children, chances are you’ll be wanting them to have fun in the water with the rest of the family.

While wrapping up your kids in towels may sound like a straightforward thing to do - the internet has once again given us priceless advice from an expert, and parents have piled on the appreciation.

TikTok/@scarnati.swim

Nikki Scarnati - a certified ISR swim instructor, water safety advocate and drowning prevention educator - took her advice to TikTok in a bid 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.

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."

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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 continues: "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.

TikTok/@scarnati.swim

Viewers have flocked to the post in agreement and thanked 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 commented.

However, one user had a query, asking: “Mines four, she’s gonna move the towel on top of her shoulders if she’s cold though?”

To which Nikki helpfully replied: "You can wrap it and tuck it in the back so they can still move. Or opt for a different style towel or a Teri cloth towel robe.”

Safety first!