Urgent holiday warning over popular baby swimming float ‘that can kill'

21 June 2023 , 11:56

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Urgent holiday warning over popular baby swimming float ‘that can kill'

A swimming instructor has issued a warning to parents over certain types of pool floats, claiming they can easily flip over.

TikTok swimming teacher Nikki Scarnati said the inflatables produced by Mambobaby that have a canopy overhead to protect children from the sun, can easily turn over, potentially drowning a child.

"All it takes is for a child to lean forward a little too much and they're going to flip over," she said.

"And if they do flip over, they're strapped into this device so it's going to be more difficult for you to remove your child and get them poolside so evaluate them."

Parents should always swim with their children, according to advice

Toddlers and babies are 'top-heavy', making them more susceptible to drowning.

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Pediatrics of Florence explained: "If a baby falls into even shallow water, [they] can’t always lift [themselves] out.

"Bathtubs, toilets, buckets, and standing water can also be a hazard."

Nikki added: "This is why we don't focus on doggy paddle positions below the age of four, because they are at a higher risk of getting stuck in the vertical position.

Nikki claimed the canopy could be a problem

"If you take a look at a photo of a baby in the Mambobaby float, the little one is laying on her back but her head is propped up because she's looking at people.

"If she were to fall in the water without that flotation, her body is going to be forced vertically because again her head is much bigger than her body.

"[In another photo], the child is on their belly and their head is propped up. That is going to force their body into the vertical position because of how these children are anatomically at this age."

Nikki argued the Mambobaby products were a problem because of the canopy, which may make it harder to pull a child out.

Toddlers and babies are 'top-heavy' which makes them more susceptible to drowning

The swimming expert also said that some floats on the market can be useful, but parents should hold their child instead. This will make them "less likely to veer towards the water alone as they've never been in the water alone".

Mambobaby has said that its products are safe, but do not protect against drowning and advised guardians to not leave a child unattended.

Benjamin Lynch