Low-cost water safety education available for Fort Worth families

Low-cost water safety education available for Fort Worth families

Published on May 18, 2022

Nothing beats the heat like a cool dip in the pool on a scorching Texas day, but a quick swim can turn tragic unless families have proper knowledge about drowning prevention.

According to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, 76 children under the age of 17 died in 2021 from drowning incidents, with approximately 67% of those deaths in home or apartment pools. In 2022 so far, we have already lost 15 children to drowning incidents. This is especially alarming when you consider that for every fatal drowning, there are an average of five nonfatal drownings that require long-term care.

To help combat these preventable deaths, the Fort Worth Drowning Prevention Coalition will offer its Swim Safe program. The six-day program provides children ages 4-18 and adults 18 and over the opportunity to learn in-water skills that can save their life in the water this summer. In addition to in-water skills, parents and caregivers will also receive classroom education, including the basics of CPR, supervision strategies at the pool and instructions on creating a home water safety plan.

Every family will receive a free lifejacket and a children's book and will gain access to free and reduced-cost swimming lessons at the completion of the program.

Register online for these 2022 dates:

• Ryan YMCA, May 31, June 1, 2, 7, 8, 9 at 6:45 p.m. or 7:35 p.m.
• Forest Park Pool, June 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30 at 6:45 p.m. or 7:35 p.m.
• McDonald YMCA, July 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14 at 6:45 p.m. or 7:35 p.m.
• Marine Park Pool, July 26, 27, 28, Aug. 2, 3, 4 at 6:45 p.m. or 7:35 p.m.

Photo:The Fort Worth Drowning Prevention Coalition's programs have taught more than 2,200 non-swimmers to be safer in and around water.

Get articles like this in your inbox.Subscribe to City News.

Tagged as:

• Classes or Workshops