It’s something every loving parent does — wrapping their little one in a warm towel after swimming. But one mother’s warning has parents rethinking everything.

Professional swim instructor Nikki Scarnati says the way most parents do it — wrapping the towel around the child’s shoulders like a blanket — could be dangerous. “If they fall back into the pool, their arms are trapped,” she explained. “They can’t move to save themselves.”

Instead, she demonstrates a safer way: tuck the towel under the child’s arms, not over them. This allows kids to move freely if they stumble near water or need to steady themselves. “They still stay warm,” Nikki said, “but this way, they can reach out — they can survive.”

Many parents who’ve experienced close calls shared their stories. One dad recalled, “My son tripped with his arms trapped in a towel — he split his chin open. I’ll never wrap him that way again.”

It’s such a small change, but one that could mean the difference between safety and tragedy. Because sometimes, love isn’t just about keeping them warm — it’s about keeping them ready.