Swimming coach warns parents are making a deadly mistake with their kids' towels

17 February 2024 , 14:00

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A parent is warning other mums and dads that wrapping your child in a towel a certain way could be a hazard (stock photo) (Image: Getty Images/Westend61)

A mum is warning all parents who take their children swimming that there is a "right" way to wrap a child up in a towel post-pool.

If you've got a little one who enjoys splashing around or takes swimming lessons, you might think nothing of wrapping them up in a towel to dry them off after they have finished. However, a swimming instructor is warning that doing this could pose a safety risk.

Swimming coach Nikki Scarnati recently issued a stern warning to parents on her TikTok page @scarnati.swim- pointing out that parents should avoid wrapping a towel over a child's shoulders. She advises that you can still using a wrapping towel technique, but instead of over the shoulders, parents should tuck it securely under the child's arms. The technique is "much safer" than the standard way according to the pro.

Nikki explained: "I have seen it happen all the time and I, myself, as a parent didn't even realise it was a thing. After you get them out of the pool, you should first dry their arms off and put the towel underneath their arms.

"That's right! Make sure your towel is under your little one's arms, not on top."

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She added: "This way, if they end up in the water they can still have access to their limbs to self-rescue, and they're that much safer." She also said that using a towel that is too long could potentially be a trip hazard.

A number of people reacted to the video and shared horror stories about children getting into accidents after being wrapped in a towel. One commenter 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."

Another wrote: "I stopped wrapping my kids at the shoulder after my son tripped up stairs and split his chin open because his arms were trapped instead of being able to catch himself as he fell." "I can confirm this is true," a third said.

"Good tip thank you," one other TikTok user said. Another pointed out: "Also if they trip, they can catch themselves before hitting the ground."

Have you tried the technique? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Lucy Marshall