Safer Summer Swimmers Start Now — 2019 is the Year to Focus on Improved Water Safety for Long Island Families
Did you know that drowning is the leading cause of injury death for children ages one to four — and the second leading cause of injury death for children ages one to 14, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention? Each year, around 1,000 kids die from unintentional drowning and nearly 5,000 will require treatment for non-fatal water related injuries. A child can drown in as little as 20 seconds. This is a topic that impacts ALL Long Island families.
The water and swim safety experts at Goldfish Swim School Garden City, Goldfish Swim School Farmingdale and Goldfish Swim School Centereach are committed to partnering with families to change those statistics!
As the premier learn-to-swim program in Long Island, Goldfish Swim School provides indoor, year-round swim instruction to children ages 4 months to 12 years-old in a family-friendly setting with highly trained instructors, small class sizes (max 4:1 student to teacher ratio), shiver-free 90-degree pools, and a state-of-the-art water purification system. Families with kids of different ages and skill levels can conveniently have all of their swimmers in the pool during the same half hour time slot and schedule makeup classes when necessary. Goldfish offers perpetual lessons and families can enroll at any time. Facilities are designed with families and children in mind and kids make progress because of the proven curriculum! Both members and non-members are invited to enjoy Family Swims offered several times a week. Goldfish Swim School also offers FREE water safety presentations to any interested school, community group or parent organization to help educate parents and kids about water safety basics.
We know that most drownings occur during the summer months. However, the team at Goldfish Swim School wants parents to know that safer summer swimmers start now! This is actually the BEST time of year for families to be thinking about water and swim safety because kids who are going to be safer swimmers next summer are getting started in lessons right now.
Swimming is an activity that requires consistency and regular practice to see progress. By starting lessons now, kids can see results in time for pool and beach season in June. Plus, each child learns new skills differently and at his/her own pace so starting in the winter is the best way to ensure progress by summer.
In addition, indoor swimming is a great activity for kids and parents — especially in Goldfish’s 90 degree pools! There’s scientific evidence that play based learning is the optimal way for kids to learn new skills. The Goldfish Science of SwimPlay® curriculum provides a strong foundation for intellectual and emotional growth, creativity, problem solving and more!
The Goldfish Swim School teams encourage families to keep the following water safety tips in mind:
● Any time kids are around water, designate a “water watcher” who will avoid cell phones, conversations, magazines and anything else that might distract the adult from watching swimming children EVERY SINGLE SECOND. Most children who drown are supervised.
● The American Red Cross says that the number one thing that parents can do to keep kids safe around water is to enroll them in swim lessons.
● Realize that floaties, noodles and plastic inner tubes do NOT protect against drowning. They are created as water toys, not life-saving devices. Life jackets should be designated as U.S. Coast Guard-approved.
● Make water and swim safety a fun, family activity! Goldfish uses props, toys, prizes and other tools to engage kids and make the learn-to-swim experience FUN! Check out a Family Swim to practice basic water safety skills AND have some fun together as a family!
For more information about scheduling a water safety presentation or to enroll in swim lessons, please visit goldfishswimschool.com to find the Goldfish location nearest you.