Swim Safety

Did you know that drowning is the number one cause of death in children in South Florida? The benefits of having a pool are endless, but that beautiful blue oasis can pose a deadly threat to small children—or anyone who cannot swim. We can’t stress enough the importance of teaching children to swim at a young age, especially if you live in an area where swimming pools abound. According to Broward County Parks and Recreation, “there are thousands of swimming pools, beaches, canals, lakes, and other waterways in South Florida. Consequently, drowning is the number-one killer of children ages 4 and under. In the late 1990s, Broward County also reported an average of five drowning deaths per year among children ages 4 through 7, and near-drowning accidents left three out of four victims suffering brain damage.” These are scary statistics, but these deaths can be prevented! Broward County’s SWIM Central program aims to help parents give their kids the tools they need to be safe around the water. Visit their website to learn about their free swim classes.