Swim Lessons

It’s summertime!  If you haven’t already looked into swim lessons, it’s time to check with your local American Red Cross, YMCA or community center to find swim lessons that are appropriate for your child.  It’s a life saving investment! Last year the American Academy of pediatrics released new evidence that children ages 1 to 4 may be less likely to drown if they have had formal swimming instruction.

In addition to swim lessons don’t forget other important layers of protection necessary to keep children safe from drowning.

All pools should be surrounded by a 4-sided pool fence (this alone cuts drowning risk in half) that is at least 4 feet high and has a self closing, self latching gate.  Make sure there is constant supervision by an adult who knows how to swim, perform a rescue, initiate CPR and call for help.  For infants, toddlers and weak swimmers, use “Touch supervision”, which means that an adult should always be within arm’s reach of a child in or near the water.

For more on keeping your children safe this summer, check out my Web MD blog and tune into KTLA this Wednesday morning (June 8th) for my summer safety segment.