BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — With the nicer weather lately, we know some families out there may be enjoying it with a splash.
But if you’re not practicing proper safety protocols with your children when near water, it can lead to a tragedy.
“Three children drown each day in the U.S.” said Nick Patterson, general manager of Goldfish Swim School. “That is why we do water safety presentations with different preschools. We like to teach the importance of water safety to children who might not even be in swim lessons to try to prevent that from happening.”
May is National Water Safety Awareness Month and that’s why it’s important to recognize the facts. According to the CDC, drowning deaths have been on the rise since 2019. It’s also the leading cause of death for children ages 1 through 4.
“You hear about kids that maybe jumped in a pool, but they don’t know how to climb out safely,” said swimmer Sally Crews. “So it’s very important for those skills to be learned. I’m a big advocate for young people learning how to swim and adults as well.”
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Goldfish Swim School provides lessons year round for children as young as four months through twelve years old, helping them be comfortable and safe when in and around water.
For parents like Nicole Meyers, whose daughter Madysen has autism and used to be afraid of the water, she has seen the impact lessons can have on a child.
“It’s amazing,” Meyers said. “It definitely makes me tear up a little bit when she does new things. I am very proud of her. I’m very proud of her progress and where she’s at right now.”
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Summer’s right around the corner and Goldfish reminds parents how to practice water safety at home.
“It’s very important for kids who don’t know how to swim to wear life jackets, not the floaties, not the puddle jumpers,” said Patterson. “You want to make sure to have a Coast Guard approved life jacket. They should wear bright colors in the water so that for some reason if they do go under, you can see their clothing and know exactly where they are.”
If you’re interested in swim lessons for your child, you can click here to learn more.