Raleigh to host World's Largest Swim Lesson location to bring awareness to importance of swim lessons
The event aims to bring awareness to the importance of teaching kids how to swim to help prevent drowning.
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The annual international event, which marks its 10th anniversary this year, will take place over the course of 24 hours in an estimated 600 locations in more than 20 countries.
The event aims to bring awareness to the importance of teaching kids how to swim to help prevent drowning, according to the event's website.
The group, however, also warns parents not to let their guard down around water if their child has had a few lessons. Constant, focused supervision when your child is in or near a pool or any body of water also is critical, the group says. It's also important to block access to pools when it's not time to swim. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 69% of children under the age of 5 years were not supposed to be in the water when they drowned.
When considering swim lessons for your child, the pediatricians group says parents should look for:
- Experienced and qualified instructors with current CPR and First Aid certification.
- Instruction about good safety habits in, on and near the water.
- Lessons about what to do if they find themselves in the water unexpectedly.
- Classes that allow parents to watch the class first to ensure it's right for their child.
- Multiple sessions where children have the time to build their skills.
For kids under age 4, according to the pediatrician's group, look for programs that:
- Provide an age-appropriate atmosphere.
- Include "touch supervision," where adults are always within an arm's reach.
- Maintain water purity and proper chlorine levels.
- Keep the water warm, ideally 87 to 94 degrees.
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