HEALTH children are in a pool or near a body of water, a caregiver needs to be close, paying full attention and not distracted by a phone or other diversions. Wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets. Children and adolescents must wear appropriately sized and weighted life jackets in or around watercraft. It’s important to understand that not all life jackets are Coast Guard approved. Adults can check this feature by looking at the tag on the inside of the jacket. Non-swimmers and small children should always wear life jackets when near water and while swimming. Adults should also wear them to model safe behavior. Don’t practice holding your breath under water. Children should not have breath-holding contests or participate in underwater swimming challenges that could risk their lives. Learn CPR. When seconds count, bystanders may be the first to help, so learning CPR may save a life. If you were CPR certified years ago, take a refresher course. CPR classes are available at community centers, hospitals and the American Red Cross. Teach basic swim skills early. Not only do most children enjoy swimming lessons, but taking formal lessons can save their lives. Many free or reduced-cost options for classes are available at your local YMCA for children from 6 months old through adults. Learning basic water safety and swimming skills at an early age helps children cope with potential dangers. In Safety Around Water classes at the Y, adults and children learn what to do if they find themselves in water unexpectedly. Participants practice basic skills like how to float and tread water; learning how to push off the bottom of the pool as they are submerging to get back to the surface can help a child find and grab the side of the pool for safety. Each year, the Y teaches over a million children and teens how to swim, providing lessons about water safety in a fun, safe environment. There are classes available to meet every family’s needs and schedules. Water safety not only saves lives but also builds confidence. Learning to enjoy activities in and around the water nurtures children’s social-emotional, cognitive and physical development. Water safety and swimming lessons promote a lifelong enjoyment of swimming while encouraging healthy living. For more information visit www.ymca.net.
May-June 2019
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eel
Seth Cast
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