In Florida, sooner or later everyone will be given the opportunity to go swimming. Swimming pools and beaches are abundant. Unfortunately, with the opportunity to swim comes the risk of drowning. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the number five cause of unintentional death in America. For children under the age of 15, drowning ranks as the number two cause of death. For parents, particularly those who never learned to swim, those numbers can be terrifying.
Naturally, the best way to reduce your risk of drowning is to be a strong swimmer. Formal swimming lessons are a proven method of reducing your risk of drowning. Children should be taught to swim early on to reduce their fear of the water, while at the same time instilling respect for water safety. Children need to be taught that swimming pools and waterways can be fun, but they can also be dangerous. Proper safety requires training and vigilance.
Swimming is an excellent way to exercise. Swimming is an exciting and safe sport, once a person takes the time to learn the basics. Finally, swimming is a social activity that many people in Florida enjoy for a lifetime. By learning to swim and teaching your children to be strong swimmers, you can help them stay safe and be healthy for years to come.
Source: Quad-City Times, “Think swimming lessons now for safety later,” by Erica Pickrell, 1 January 2013
