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THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- The end of the school year is here and families are preparing for the seasonal water related activities. YMCAs urge swim safety for children and encourage families to be vigilant as they head toward the water.
-In the time it takes to cross a room or pool deck for a towel – 10 seconds – a child can be submerged.
-In the time it takes to answer a phone – 2 minutes – a child can lose consciousness.
-In the time it takes to answer the door – 4 to 6 minutes – a child submerged can sustain permanent brain damage.
Children drown silently and quickly – in a matter of seconds. Adults present when a child drowns are often distracted in some way – talking on the phone, chatting with other adults etc . . .
The important message is to never leave a child alone near a pool, spa, bathtub, toilet, bucket or any standing water in which a child’s nose or mouth may be submerged. (One inch of water that cover’s a child’s mouth and nose can cause drowning.) A drowning can happen anywhere.
The YMCA has outlined several important precautionary measures that should be taken to ensure children’s safety around water.
- Create layers of protection between the water and your children: Proper fencing and gates around pools, sturdy pool coverings, install alarms on doors and windows that lead to the pool and have rescue equipment mounted by the pool.
- Proper parental or adult supervision at all times. Provide “reach supervision” - always be within arm’s reach of a child who isn’t an experienced swimmer.
- When there are several adults present and children are swimming, designate an “on-duty” adult to ensure supervision at all times.
- Stress the importance of never swimming alone
- Swim safety lessons for all children who will be exposed to water.
- Learn to swim: If you get tired, knowing that you can turn over and float on your back to catch a breath, may mean the difference between life and death.
Let someone know when you are going to swim
- Never swim in a pool that you cannot see the bottom
- Posting and enforcement of pool rules
- Be ready for an emergency; have the proper water rescue devices, a first-aid preparedness kit and be able to perform CPR. Never try to go into the water to save someone. Use something that you can reach the victim with like a noodle, pool buoy, pole, etc.
- Have phone access near the water area.
- Have your child wear a life jacket every time you go boating or are on a dock.
The YMCA, America’s Favorite Swim Instructor, has been teaching children and adults to swim for more than 100 years. Learning to Swim at the YMCA is more than just stroke development, techniques and skills. We include personal safety, personal growth, water sports and games, and rescue techniques as well as providing a positive experience.
The Montgomery County YMCAs offers swim lessons throughout the summer. The Summer Swim Program includes Parent/Child classes for ages 6 – 36 months, Pre-School classes for ages 3 – 5 years, and Youth classes for children ages 6 years and older. The YMCA also has classes available for adults. Weekday Morning and evening classes are available as well as Saturday and Sunday classes for youth. For those swimmers who need individual attention, private lessons are available. The summer sessions begin June 6.
For more information on Y Swim Lessons and other YMCA Classic Summer Fun programs, please call the South Montgomery County YMCAs in The Woodlands at the number below or visit their website.
-In the time it takes to cross a room or pool deck for a towel – 10 seconds – a child can be submerged.
-In the time it takes to answer a phone – 2 minutes – a child can lose consciousness.
-In the time it takes to answer the door – 4 to 6 minutes – a child submerged can sustain permanent brain damage.
Children drown silently and quickly – in a matter of seconds. Adults present when a child drowns are often distracted in some way – talking on the phone, chatting with other adults etc . . .
The important message is to never leave a child alone near a pool, spa, bathtub, toilet, bucket or any standing water in which a child’s nose or mouth may be submerged. (One inch of water that cover’s a child’s mouth and nose can cause drowning.) A drowning can happen anywhere.
The YMCA has outlined several important precautionary measures that should be taken to ensure children’s safety around water.
- Create layers of protection between the water and your children: Proper fencing and gates around pools, sturdy pool coverings, install alarms on doors and windows that lead to the pool and have rescue equipment mounted by the pool.
- Proper parental or adult supervision at all times. Provide “reach supervision” - always be within arm’s reach of a child who isn’t an experienced swimmer.
- When there are several adults present and children are swimming, designate an “on-duty” adult to ensure supervision at all times.
- Stress the importance of never swimming alone
- Swim safety lessons for all children who will be exposed to water.
- Learn to swim: If you get tired, knowing that you can turn over and float on your back to catch a breath, may mean the difference between life and death.
Let someone know when you are going to swim
- Never swim in a pool that you cannot see the bottom
- Posting and enforcement of pool rules
- Be ready for an emergency; have the proper water rescue devices, a first-aid preparedness kit and be able to perform CPR. Never try to go into the water to save someone. Use something that you can reach the victim with like a noodle, pool buoy, pole, etc.
- Have phone access near the water area.
- Have your child wear a life jacket every time you go boating or are on a dock.
The YMCA, America’s Favorite Swim Instructor, has been teaching children and adults to swim for more than 100 years. Learning to Swim at the YMCA is more than just stroke development, techniques and skills. We include personal safety, personal growth, water sports and games, and rescue techniques as well as providing a positive experience.
The Montgomery County YMCAs offers swim lessons throughout the summer. The Summer Swim Program includes Parent/Child classes for ages 6 – 36 months, Pre-School classes for ages 3 – 5 years, and Youth classes for children ages 6 years and older. The YMCA also has classes available for adults. Weekday Morning and evening classes are available as well as Saturday and Sunday classes for youth. For those swimmers who need individual attention, private lessons are available. The summer sessions begin June 6.
For more information on Y Swim Lessons and other YMCA Classic Summer Fun programs, please call the South Montgomery County YMCAs in The Woodlands at the number below or visit their website.
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