SARASOTA – When it comes to kids and pools, Sarasota YMCA Association Aquatics Director Lauran DeLagrange says we need to be more careful.
“Florida was the number one state in 2017 for drowning deaths,” DeLagrange said. “[It’s] super important for parents to be aware of where their kids are at all times.”
She says 85% of those drownings were in backyard pools, so there are several layers of safety parents can add to their homes.
“We can make sure that we have eyes on our children and make sure we have a barrier fence up with a proper, self-latching latch,” DeLagrange said.
And according to the USA Swimming Foundation, formal swimming lessons can reduce the likelihood of drowning by as much as 88 percent.
“We love to say we’re acclimating the kids when they first start out; we’re getting them comfortable in the water so they’re not afraid,” DeLagrange said.
Even when they are comfortable, she says the most important thing is for parents to pay attention.
“It’s a silent thing, when kids slip under the pool,” DeLagrange said. “Don’t take your eyes off of them.”
The Sarasota YMCA offers swim lessons five days a week for all ages, as young as six months old, all the way up to adults.
