May is National Water Safety Month and the YMCA of Philadelphia, YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties, YMCA of Greater Brandywine and the YMCA of Delaware aim to ensure all our communities have access to quality and affordable water safety resources. The Y is one of the most accessible community resources in the U.S. for swim instruction. We offer various aquatics programs to help foster a love of swimming, while providing the knowledge to do so safely. With over 2,000 pools nationwide, YMCA swim programs are designed to teach everyone swim safety awareness regardless of your age, ability level, or the zip code in which you live.
Keeping Kids Safe Around Water
Most parents see swimming as a key to keeping their kids safe, however drowning is the leading cause of death in children. According to the CDC, three children die every day due to drowning.
It’s up to all of us to help keep kids safe this summer at the Y.
Here are some helpful water safety tips to stay safe this summer:
- Always swim with a buddy.
- Kids should always be supervised by an adult while in the water – whether it’s the shallow end, the deep end, or the bathtub.
- Choose bright colors when buying swimwear. It helps locate your loved ones should an emergency arise.
- Know and follow the rules wherever you choose to swim.
- All children should wear life jackets based on their swim ability. Learn the correct size of life jacket for your child, they are usually color coded by size
- Encourage everyone to learn to swim. It’s our best defense to increase safety around the water.
For more information on rules and regulations for YMCA of Delaware outdoor pools this summer, click here.