WITH SUMMER AROUND THE CORNER, WATER SAFETY SHOULD BE TOP OF MIND The YMCA of Klamath Falls wants to ensure that water safety isn’t overlooked in the Klamath Basin’s eagerness to jump into summer. As temperatures rise, kids want to cool off, whether that is in home pools, ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, or oceans. And that means the risk of drowning is as prevalent as ever. For National Water Safety Month this May, the Klamath Falls YMCA is encouraging parents and caregivers to reinforce the importance of water safety skills with the whole family. “As ‘America’s Swim Instructor,’ the Klamath Falls YMCA annually teaches more children valuable water safety and swimming skills,” said Jennifer Bavarskas, Aquatics Director at the Klamath Falls YMCA. “Now more than ever, it’s important to remind parents and caregivers that water safety needs to be top-of-mind as families start to return to their favorite summertime activities,” As part of National Water Safety Month, the YMCA encourages parents to play an active role in promoting water safety and provides five tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable swimming experience for all.
Tip # 1: Make sure children know to always ask permission before going in or near the water. Teaching your children to be water-smart is the first step in water safety. Be sure they understand the importance of asking permission before going in or near the water.
Tip # 2: Never swim alone without a water watcher. When children swim, ensure they are actively supervised at all times. Teach your children that they should only swim in locations where a lifeguard is on duty or where a responsible adult agrees to watch the children in the water without distractions.
Tip # 3: Supervise your children whenever they’re in or near water. Whether it’s bath time or taking a dip in a pool or waterfront, ensure your children are always within arm’s reach.
Tip # 4: Don’t engage in breath-holding activities. Children should not hold their breath for a prolonged time while swimming, as this can be dangerous.
Tip # 5: Wear a life jacket. Inexperienced or non-swimmers should always wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket in or around the water.
Tip # 6: Don’t jump in the water to save a friend struggling in deep water. Even if a child is a great swimmer, a panicked person will overpower them, pulling the rescuer underwater. The Y’s Safety Around Water program teaches the “reach, throw, don’t go” concept of using a long object to reach for them and pull them to safety. By using this technique, children can help their friends without compromising their safety.
To learn more about the YMCA of Klamath Falls and our Aquatics Program, contact the Y at 541.884.4149 or www.kfallsymca.org
About the Y: Driven by its founding mission, the Y has served as a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening the community for more than 175 years. The Y empowers everyone, no matter who they are or where they’re from, by ensuring access to resources, relationships, and opportunities for all to learn, grow and thrive. By bringing together people from different backgrounds, perspectives and generations, the Y’s goal is to improve overall health and well-being, ignite youth empowerment and demonstrate the importance of connections in and across 10,000 communities nationwide. Learn more at kfallsymca.org
