
Share
6th September 2023
11:40am BST

Credit: Getty[/caption]
You could also find yourself sharing the pool with some unwelcome guests if the water isn't refreshed often enough, as Joyce explains: "Paddling pools are attractive to insects such as horseflies, who are normally drawn towards stagnant water, especially when the weather is hot. Unfortunately, this means there is an increased chance of bites, which can actually be deadly to some children and adults or cause pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, and a rush."
Another thing to watch out for is algae. "If you’re leaving water in your paddling pool for too long, you will end up with algae covering the surface of the pool. This can be dangerous as it’s not always immediately obvious and it can make the bottom of the pool incredibly slippery. If someone steps in a bit too quickly or loses control of their footing, they can easily slip over and end up really hurting themselves. Even more seriously, algae contain toxins that if ingested can cause gastroenteritis, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and headaches, and even affect the liver and nervous system."
Explore more on these topics: