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Spending time around water can be relaxing and so much fun, but without the proper training, water can be deadly. Learning water safety skills can serve kids for their whole lives. Whether on camping trips, pool parties or trips to the beach, when kids are prepared, the chance of accident decreases significantly.
We can prevent accidental deaths
According to the Centers for Disease Control, about ten people die everyday as a result of drowning. So many of those accidental deaths are preventable. With the right skills, individuals can be empowered to protect themselves around water, but also know the signs to look for when somebody else is struggling in the water.
The earlier the better
The longer you wait to educate your child about swimming and water safety, the harder it becomes. Younger kids are happy to jump right into swimming, but as kids get older, without skills they tend to build fearful aversion to the water which leaves them at a higher risk for water danger.
Swimming is the pinnacle of fun for a lot of kids, but without a solid safety foundation, it is rife with danger. The YMCA’s Safety Around Water program wants to keep swimming fun by teaching essential water safety skills, including how personal water safety and skills to help others in the water.
Safety Around Water is a free six week course at Meredith Mathews East Madison YMCA.
This vital course is open to anyone in the community who wants their children to learn how to be safe in and around water!