Are Mermaid Tail Costumes Dangerous?

If your girl wants a mermaid tail costume for a party, or just because she wants a mermaid dress up for her own fun and imaginative play, you do need to be cautious. Because the mermaid tail holds both legs close together please be aware that her movement will be limited. If she is not careful, or too young, she may get hurt, for example, if she tries to run or swim if she is not a strong swimmer.

There are many types of mermaid tails available in Australia. The ones that come with a "mono fin' swimming fin sit inside the bottom part of the tail, where your child's feet go. These are designed to keep the feet together so that when the child swims, there is a beautiful smooth tail. Using a smooth dolphin kick, the monofin propels the swimmer through the water, with the lightweight costume allowing water to flow through without any barrier.

Just like Ariel the Little Mermaid who was not able to come onto land most mermaid costumes is designed as swimsuits and belong in the water. Wherever children are involved with swimming pools, there must be adult supervision and proper fencing around a pool. Mermaid Tails for swimming are not dangerous when proper safety precautions are taken.

If a child does not know how to do a 'dolphin kick' style of swimming, they will not be able to propel themselves through the water, and if it is deep, they may not be able to use their legs to safely kick and tread water safely until help arrives. It is very important that they can easily kick off the swimming fin and tail without panicking.

Safety tips when wearing a mermaid costume

  1. Do not walk, or run on concrete while you are wearing a mermaid tail. Because you can't move your legs freely, you may easily trip and hurt yourself badly on concrete.
  2. This mermaid swim tail can only be used when sitting, or lying down if you are on land. It is designed for use as a swimming costume. If you are not planning to go into the water, and you are lying on a sunbed, or on the pool deck, wait until you are sitting before putting your mermaid costume on. If you need to get a drink, remove the tail and walk. Trying to walk or run while wearing mermaid tails will lead to tripping and injury (and you will damage the beautiful costume).
  3. Only children who are competent swimmers should ever wear a mermaid tail on the water. Your child should be able to float independently on their front or back, able to swim continuously for 25 metres and tread water for a minute.
  4. Never leave a child unsupervised in or around the water.
  5. Make sure your child understands the 'quick release method' to remove the swim fin and tail whilst in the water. Following these important safety tips will make wearing mermaid tails very safe and fun.
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