On Mother's Day, APSP acknowledged the role mothers play in teaching children to swim by signing them up for lessons and stressing water safety awareness. The recognition coincided with National Water Safety Month, which lasts through the end of May.
“Through the year, and especially during May's National Water Safety Month, mothers are encouraged to give their child the ability to swim and the ability to protect and preserve their life in the water. Swimming is a fun, healthy activity for kids and adults of all ages!” the association said in a statement. APSP also took the opportunity to share some safety tips on the Water Safety Month website:
• Teach children water safety and swimming skills as early as possible.• Always brief babysitters on water safety, emphasizing the need for constant supervision.• Appoint a “designated watcher” to monitor children during social gatherings at or near pools.• Maintain constant visual contact with children in a pool or pool area. Don’t use flotation devices as a substitute for supervision.• Equip doors and windows that exit to a pool area with alarms.• Post CPR instructions and learn the procedures.• Keep rescue equipment, a cordless phone and a first aid kit poolside.• Don’t leave objects such as toys that might attract a child in the pool and pool area.
These tips and more can be found at www.nationalwatersafetymonth.com. Partner organizations that provide swimming lessons are also listed on the site, giving pool builders and retailers an excellent resource to share with customers. You can also follow the month-long campaign on Facebook by logging onto the site and searching “National Water Safety Month.”
