It’s time to “Waterproof” Chester County
There is a list of basic life skills all parents instinctively know they must teach their children to keep them safe and healthy. It includes habits like looking both ways before crossing the street, washing your hands with soap and water and eating the right amount of fruits and vegetables every day.
For too many parents, making sure their children learn how to swim is not on the list - and that needs to change.
Throughout the year, and specifically in May which is National Water Safety Month, the YMCA is committed to teaching children - and their parents - the importance of learning how to swim, starting with basic water safety skills.
Follow these tips when in and around the water:
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Only go swimming when and where there is a lifeguard on duty; never swim alone.
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Adults should constantly and actively watch their children.
- Inexperienced or non-swimmers should wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
- Parents or guardians of young children should be within an arm’s reach of children.
- Children and adults should not engage in breath-holding activities.
- Enroll in swimming lessons.
About YMCA Swimming Lessons
Getting all children involved in swimming is important for safety reasons and a great way to keep active and healthy. It also reduces the risk of drowning by up to 88%. A great place to start is enrolling your child in swimming lessons.
YMCA swimming lessons teach swim skills, stroke technique and water safety, and are:
- offered at six of our branches for all ages and abilities
- led by nationally certified instructors trained in CPR, first aid, AED and oxygen administration
- given in small groups. Private and semi-private swimming lessons are also available
- available at convenient times to fit any schedule
A new session of swimming lessons begins every month at the branches of the YMCA of Greater Brandywine. With convenient class times, warm water pools and financial assistance available, there’s no better place to enroll your children.