The American Academy of Pediatrics recently announced its updated recommendations to prevent drowning in children. One of the recommendations was to start swim lessons for children at one year of age. Lisa Armitage, owner of the three Columbus Area Goldfish Swim Schools and Dr. Sarah Denny, the study's lead author share some thoughts about water safety on a segment of Daytime Columbus.
Here are water safety tips from Lisa Armitage, owner of Goldfish Swim Schools in Columbus:
W– Wear Your Life Jacket: This is one of the easiest ways to increase safety in the water. There are plenty of different types of life jackets to fit all sizes – pay attention to proper fit.
A– Act. Throw! Don’t go: Do your kids know what to do in a swimming emergency? They should ACT! Their first instinct may be to go towards the person having trouble in the water. Instead, they should throw a life preserver – and don’t go! That way, they aren’t putting themselves in jeopardy as well and are truly able to help.
T– Take Swim Lessons: You can start your child in swim lessons as early as four months old where they can begin learning swim and safety skills while building character through guided play.
E– Educate. Learn Swim Safety Skills: Key water safety skills can go a long way – such as the crab walk, properly getting in and out of the pool, going underwater, rolling on their back, treading water, learning different strokes.
R– Respect. Play it Cool and Follow the Rules: Rules are there for a reason, especially when it comes to rules for the pool. Walk, don’t run; make sure an adult is watching; no horseplay. Review rules together as a family before setting your kids loose to enjoy the water.
Goldfish Swim School teaches water safety tips at every class level. To find out more information about swim lessons for your child see the Goldfish Swim School Website. Goldfish Swim School also offers free water safety presentations for schools, daycares and community groups, call 614-349-4789 for more information.
