According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 10 people die from unintentional drowning every day. Of those 10, two are children aged 14 or younger. In an effort keep children safe in and around the water, the YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties offers important safety tips for all ages:
• Never swim alone — only swim where there is a Lifeguard on duty. It only takes one inch of water to cover a child’s mouth and nose, potentially causing drowning. In the little time it takes to cross a room or pool deck to grab a towel, a child can slip silently under the surface of the water, even while wearing a floating device.
• Be prepared in case of emergency. Accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. It’s important to take the time to learn life-saving skills like CPR and have a phone handy in the pool area. The Y offers First Aid, CPR & AED training, as well as Lifeguard certification courses.
• Maintain appropriate lifesaving equipment. Keep a life preserver and rope in the pool area, hanging from the fence so they are accessible but not in the way.
• Safeguard pool area for children. Keep pool gates locked and furniture away from fences to ensure a child can’t climb over. Make sure to use gates that are self-closing and self-latching. When inside the pool area, keep toys at a safe distance from the edge of the pool.
• Learn to swim. Take advantage of the Y’s weekly swim classes, offered for children of all ages.
“Learning to swim is not only a great way to stay healthy — it’s also a critical life safety skill,” said Linda N. Davis, the Y’s Associate Executive Director of Aquatics. “As America’s leading swim instructor for over 100 years, families can count on the Y for quality swim lessons featuring stroke development and technique.”
The YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties offers a variety of recreational and specialty aquatics programs for all ages and abilities, including parent-child classes, group swim lessons for preschool and youth, programs for kids and adults with special needs, swim teams, water exercise, therapy, water safety and rescue classes.
For more information on the Y’s swim lessons and Summer Membership special, call the YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties at (856) 231.9622 or visit www.ymca-bc.org.
