Learn about water safety By Doreen Nagle Gannett Constant sunshine and lazy days make for opportunities to take your little ones into the water. Now, for the first time, the American Academy of Pediatrics has relaxed its stance against swimming lessons for children under the age of 4. This professional organization has previously said swimming lessons for children this young will give parents a false sense of security that their toddlers were safe around the water. But some new studies have shown that children in this age group are less likely to drown if they have received lessons. Hence, the academy now recommends swim lessons for children as young as 1, but only when the parent feels comfortable giving these lessons to their toddlers. The academy recommends that you should enroll your toddler in a class that emphasizes water safety and requires one adult (parent or otherwise) to be in the water for each child. An acceptable ratio of instructor to child is a minimum of one instructor for up to 10 children in this age group; fewer children means more attention by the instructor for each participant. Drownings can happen in less than two minutes. Children must never be left alone near water, including the backyard pool. Always make sure an adult has a watchful eye on children who are playing in or near the water. Keep a cell phone with you when you are at the water whether it is in your own yard, a neighbor’s home or at a riverfront or other beach. If an emergency happens, you will be able to dial 911 right away. Learn CPR. If you don’t know CPR, get in touch with your local Red Cross for a list of dates and times of classes. This is an invaluable course. Contact Nagle at doreennagle@yahoo.com.
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