Latest news with #NationalWaterSafetyMonth
CBS News
4 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
Aqua-Tots in New Jersey preaches importance of early swim education
New Jersey swim coach teaches her love for the water New Jersey swim coach teaches her love for the water New Jersey swim coach teaches her love for the water As summer nears and families head to beaches, pools and lakes, knowing how to swim isn't just a fun skill. It's a lifesaving necessity. May is National Water Safety Month, a time when instructors and organizations work tirelessly to educate children on how to navigate water safely. With drowning rates increasing between April and September, experts emphasize the importance of early swim education. At Aqua-Tots Swim School in Mount Laurel, Lexi Howell, a former competitive swimmer, is on a mission to make water safety engaging and effective — one lesson and song at a time. Howell teaches even the youngest swimmers, like 7-month-old Eloise, how to acclimate to the water and develop self-rescue instincts. Howell, the aquatics manager and master instructor trainer at Aqua-Tots, says her class is about getting babies comfortable in the water, teaching parents how to work with them and making water safety second nature. CBS News Philadelphia From 4 months to 12 years old, Aqua-Tots classes focus on building confidence and awareness, treating water safety as essential as learning to cross the road. "We would never let a child cross the street without teaching them to look both ways," Aqua-Tots Mount Laurel owner Andrea Sahl said. "Water safety works the same way. We teach kids how deep the water is and how to respect it." With drowning ranking as the second-leading cause of accidental deaths for children aged 5-14, dedicated instructors like Howell are determined to make a difference. Howell loves her job and teaching kids her love for the water. "There's really no better feeling, being able to see them grow comfortable, grow independent, grow to love the water the same way I did when I was little," Howell said. Aqua-Tots Swim School provides year-round indoor swim lessons for children from 4 months to 12 years old. Water Safety tips from Aqua-Tots: Choose bright-colored swimsuits for increased visibility in the water — avoid blue, green and turquoise tones Be mindful of floaties — they can create a false sense of security Create a designated supervision plan whenever children are near water
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
NCDHHS offers water safety tips for National Water Safety Month
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCT) — May is National Water Safety Month and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is reminding residents to take proactive steps to enjoy outdoor activities safely. 'Every North Carolinian deserves to enjoy the summer season without risk to their health or safety,' said Dr. Kelly Kimple, Interim State Health Director and NCDHHS Chief Medical Officer. 'By taking small, thoughtful actions — like supervising children near water, staying cool during extreme heat and practicing safe grilling — we can all stay safe this summer.' Drowning remains the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4. NCDHHS urges everyone to keep these water safety practices in mind: Actively Supervise: Drowning can happen silently and in seconds. Always keep a close eye on children near water. Secure Pool Areas: Keep gates and doors closed and locked. Remove pool ladders when not in use. Know the Water: Be aware of currents, depth changes and undertows at beaches, lakes and rivers. Stay Healthy: Don't swim when ill with diarrhea to prevent spreading germs. Check Water Quality: Ensure pools are properly disinfected. Local health departments routinely inspect public pools, spas and splash pads. Be Cautious in All Recreational Waters: Lakes and rivers may carry bacteria or harmful algae blooms. Check advisories before swimming. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Officials Urge Water Safety Ahead of Summer Season
WACO, Texas (FOX 44) — May is recognized as National Water Safety Month and as summer approaches and temperatures rise, many Central Texans will be looking for ways to cool off — and taking a swim is often the go-to solution. However, experts warn that it's crucial to stay safe and be prepared before heading into the water. Chris Bradford is the associate executive director of the YMCA in Waco. He says drownings happen more often than people may realize. 'The leading cause of accidental death in children between the ages of one and four is drowning,' Bradford said. 'Children are more likely to drown than they are to be in a motor vehicle accident. So if your child cannot learn to swim, the best thing that you can do is put them in swim lessons or make sure that they are in that U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.' This same advice applies to area lakes, including Lake Waco. 'Life jackets only work if you use them, so we highly recommend that you're wearing them when you're out on the water,' said Arianna Jacinto, Lake Waco's lead park ranger. 'We have designated swim beaches here around our lake. We have Twin Bridges and we have Airport Park, and both of them are delineated with swim buoys to help keep boats out, and we also have life jacket loaner stations.' Jacinto said the life jacket loaner stations are free to use, and are available for anyone on the water. Visitors are encouraged to return the jackets after use so others can stay safe, too. Whether you're swimming at home this summer, at a public pool or out on the lake, the message remains the same — stay aware, be prepared, and always prioritize safety, no matter your age. 'You are more likely that your child does not learn to swim if you yourself cannot swim. Fear is transferable to our children. So if you have a fear of the water, your children will have a fear of the water,' Bradford said. Experts agree that enrolling in swim lessons is one of the best investments a family can make to prepare for summer. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
7NEWS
20-05-2025
- Health
- 7NEWS
Mummy blogger's 3-year-old son dies after being pulled unresponsive from pool
The 3-year-old son of US social media content creator Emilie Kiser died Sunday in hospital after a May 12 incident in a backyard pool, police in Arizona said. Chandler police said Trigg Kiser died after he was hospitalised for several days. Authorities responded to a drowning call in Chandler, around 20 miles southeast of Phoenix, where they found a 3-year-old unconscious and being pulled out of a pool, NBC affiliate K PNX of Phoenix reported. The Chandler Fire Department told KPNX that police officers arrived at the home first and began CPR until firefighters arrived and took over. The child, now identified as Trigg, was taken to Chandler Regional Hospital, where he remained in critical condition for six days until he died, KPNX reported. 'Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the child's family and loved ones during this unimaginable time,' Chandler police spokesperson Sonu Wasu said in a statement Sunday. Emilie Kiser, a 26-year-old influencer with nearly 3.4 million TikTok followers, gained popularity for her mum-and-wife lifestyle content. She and her husband, Brady Kiser, recently welcomed their second child, Theodore, in March. Trigg would have celebrated his fourth birthday on July 14. Comments have poured in on Emilie Kiser's latest Instagram posts, as followers offer their condolences and support to the family. Kiser has not yet released a statement about her son's death. 'The investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident remain ongoing,' Wasu said in the police statement Sunday. 'This is still an open investigation. Out of respect for the family's privacy, we will not be releasing additional details until the investigation is closed.' Drowning is the leading cause of death among children ages 1 to 4, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. May is also National Water Safety Month in the US, which brings awareness for drowning prevention and safety resources.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
DOH-Bay shares water safety tips for National Water Safety Month
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – The Florida Department of Health in Bay County is sharing tips and raising awareness on drowning prevention as May is National Water Safety Month. According to a news release, children ages 1 to 4 years old are more likely to drown in a home swimming pool than children ages 5 to 19 years old, who are more likely to drown in natural bodies of water. The DOH-Bay said that learning and following water safety rules is vital to help keep everyone safe and let those who enjoy water recreation without the danger of drowning, as everyone plays a role in drowning prevention. DOH-Bay Water Safety Tips: – Always keep your eyes on children in and around water, including pools and open bodiesof water. Actively supervising and giving children your undivided attention when they arein or around water can help prevent drownings. – Never leave a child alone around water. – If your child is missing, check other pools or surrounding bodies of water. – Use barriers around water, including fences, self-closing/self-latching gates, and securedoors with alarms. Barriers help prevent young children from wandering into bodies ofwater, including lakes, pools, ponds, and more. – Have a phone nearby in case you need to call 911 in an emergency. – Open cuts or wounds should not be immersed in water; if there's bacteria in the water, itcan enter the body through a cut or wound. – If a cut or wound happens when in the water, it should be washed with clean, runningwater and soap and covered with a clean, dry, waterproof bandage DOH Beach and Lake Swimming Tips: – Swim It: Always swim with a buddy, and when safety flags and signs give it the all-clearto do so. – Shore It: If you have a weakened immune system, a cut on your skin, or don't have abuddy to swim with, stay on dry land. – Dodge It: If you encounter animals that live near or in the water, stay away. Also, do notdrink, swim, wade, use personal watercrafts, or come into contact with waters wherethere are visible algal blooms like red tide and blue-green algae. For current informationon red tide or blue-green algae, please visit Protecting Florida Together or the FloridaDepartment of Environmental Protection's Algal Bloom Dashboard. For more information, contact DOH-Bay at 850-481-4806. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
