Heading to the beach or swimming pool? If you’re taking children along, make sure they have basic swimming and water safety skills.

Drowning is the No. 1 cause of injury-related deaths in children ages 1 to 4 in the United States. It’s also the second-leading cause of accidental injury death for kids ages 1 to 14.

Yet drowning is a preventable tragedy. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), formal swim lessons can reduce the risk of drowning. Keep in mind, though, that even children who have had swim lessons must have adult supervision at all times during activities in or near the water.

Swim Lessons

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children start swim lessons at a young age. Many children are ready for a toddler class with a parent in the water by the time they are 1 year old. By age 4, most can learn basic survival skills, such as floating and treading water. And by age 5 or 6, many can master a simple swimming stroke, such as the front crawl.

For your child, taking part in a swim class may:

• Reduce the risk of drowning. Remember that even with the reduced risk, taking other safety measures is still important.

• Improve physical strength, flexibility and coordination.

• Be a fun fitness activity that they can keep doing for a lifetime.

• Fuel brain health, memory and concentration through physical activity.

• Provide the confidence boost that comes from mastering a new skill.

Finding the Right Swim Class

You can help make swim lessons a positive experience with these steps:

• Choose a qualified instructor with experience teaching your child’s age group.

• Ask to observe a class first to see whether the approach seems right for your child.

• Talk with your pediatrician if you’re unsure whether your little one is ready for swim lessons.

Private swim lessons can get expensive. For lower-cost options, check with your local public pool, community center, youth program, parks and recreation department or YMCA. They might offer sliding-scale discounts based on income or family rates for multiple siblings.

Sources:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The StayWell Company, LLC