Swimming Safety This Summer

It’s going to be a hot summer, which means families will be in the water – the beach, water parks, park district pools and backyard pools will be filled with kids having fun! Parents and families need to be reminded of the importance learning to swim has for a summer surely to be spent in the water.

The Oswego Family YMCA offers aquatics programs and swimming lessons at the Pine Ridge Condo Indoor Pool located at 401 North Pineridge Drive in Oswego.  In addition, the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago offers swim lessons at locations across Chicagoland that give children, and people of all ages, the skills they need to enjoy the water while staying safe. Although the roles of lifeguards and supervisors are extremely important, the ability to swim is the number one way to prevent water accidents. In 2011, the Y of Metro Chicago taught more than 17,600 people how to swim – including over 750 at the Oswego Family YMCA!

To have a fun and safe summer in the water, always follow these tips:

1. Never swim alone.
2. Follow all pool/beach rules.
3. Wear appropriate sun protection. 
4. Always wear a personal flotation device if you don’t know how to swim or are on a boat.
5. Above all, learning to swim is the most important safety precaution anyone can take to ensure water safety.

 The Y’s swim lessons, available for anyone six months and older, are unique in the sense that they don’t only teach the strokes, but rescue skills and how to be safe as well, developing a healthy respect for the water in its swimmers. The Y offers 12 different swim lesson programs, differing by age and skill level, as well as swim teams, water sports, water fitness and recreational programs.

For more information on the Y’s swim programs, visit http://www.ymcachicago.org/programs/swimming or contact 630/551-0797.