Swim Lesson Resources & Water Safety Tips

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• More children ages 1–4 die from drowning than any other cause of death
• Most drownings involving children under the age of 5 occur in home swimming pools. 
• For every child who dies from drowning, another five receive emergency department care for nonfatal submersion injuries. 
• Drowning can happen to anyone, any time there is access to water
• Bright vibrant clothing & swim diapers can help with maintaining visibility on your kids in swimming scenarios

Formal swimming lessons can aid in water safety and reduce the risk of drowning. Children who have had swimming lessons still need close and constant supervision when in or around water. 

Formal swimming lessons also promote water confidence, teach essential survival skills, and improve coordination. They lay the foundation for safe aquatic habits, but do not replace the need for vigilant adult supervision. 

Construct and use a four-sided fence that is at least four feet in height and fully encloses the pool. The fence should separate the pool from the house, with self closing and self latching gates. 

Remove all toys from the pool area that might attract children to the pool when the pool is not in use. After swim time is over, shut and lock doors that give access to the pool and contribute to water safety best practices.

Designate a responsible adult to water safety, supervising closely and constantly when children are in or near water (including bathtubs). You can assign a specific adult to supervise each child when they have access to water. 

Adults watching kids in or near water should avoid distracting activities like reading, using the phone, and consuming alcohol or drugs, because drowning happens quickly and quietly.

 Life jackets and highly visible bathing suits and swim diapers reduce the risk of drowning while boating, spending a day at the lake or beach, and for people of all ages and swimming abilities. 

Life jackets should be used by children for all activities while in and around natural water. Life jackets can also be used by weaker swimmers of all ages in and around natural water and swimming pools. Do not rely on air-filled or foam toys, as these are NOT safety devices.

 Your CPR skills could save someone's life in the time it takes for paramedics to arrive. Many organizations such as the Canadian Life Saving Society, American Red Cross and American Heart Association offer CPR training courses, both online and in-person, having a life changing skill set like CPR, could help save the life of a child involved in a water safety incident.