Latest news with #WaterSafetyMonth
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Program expands affordable access to swim lessons across Central Texas
AUSTIN (KXAN) — As temperatures rise, more people spend time at the pool or cool off at Central Texas' many lakes. However, with more people in the water comes a greater need for water safety to help prevent a potential drowning. According to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, 103 children in Texas were drowning victims last year. The state agency said so far this year, 15 children have drowned in Texas. 'Drowning is a leading cause of accidental death for kids under the age of five and toddlers are especially at risk,' the DFPS website said. In Central Texas, there's a program making swim lessons more accessible for families regardless of their income. This month, pool cleaning and maintenance company Pool Scouts, is donating a percentage of its services to Hope Floats Foundation. 'During Water Safety Month, our locations donate $1 from each service to Hope Floats,' said Pool Scouts of Texas Hill Country Co-owner Hillary Burris. Hope Floats then helps pay for swim lessons for children from low-income families. Those classes are held at the British Swim School. There are locations in Austin, San Marcos, Kyle, New Braunfels and Buda. 'Hope Floats provides 90% scholarships to kids' families who are on the free or reduced lunch program. If they're eligible for that, they're eligible to get a 90% scholarship that's good for three months of swim lessons,' said British Swim School Austin Owner Brian Borchardt. Borchardt said this is their first year with the partnership. So far, they've helped 10 families by dropping their cost from $146 to $14.60 a month. 'Formal swim lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by up to 88%,' Burris said. 'I think the contributions from both of our organizations, British Swim School and Pool Scouts, has a huge direct impact on our local families having access to these formal swimming lessons.' Borchardt said this will be offered year round for families. They just have to apply for the scholarship through Hope Floats. 'We think the off-season is the time to make sure you know how to swim so you could be safe during the summer,' Borchardt said. For the month of June, Borchardt said they're going to raise money for the foundation as well. When it comes to water safety, he said it is also important for parents to stay vigilant by the pools, even if they think their child can swim. He recommended designating a 'water watcher'' to stay off their phones and keep an eye on people in the pool. Nearly two years ago a new water safety measure went into effect across Texas, which aims to minimize drowning of children under 12. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: State leaders provide details on bill to minimize children from drowning ahead of spring break House Bill 59 requires child care organizations get written notice from parents stating whether their child can swim or not. If they can't, the organization must provide a flotation device. The bill was signed into law in June 2023, and became effective on September 2023. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Virginia Beach Mayor, YMCA to emphasize water safety in May
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — With the weather warming up across the Commonwealth, many people will be participating in water activities to stay cool in the heat — and Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer said water safety should be a top priority. Water Safety Month: Importance of swim lessons ahead of summer According to the YMCA, drowning remains as the leading cause of death for children under the age of five. Dyer, along with members of the YMCA, are making sure Virginia Beach residents know the importance of water safety and drowning prevention. On Tuesday, starting at 10 a.m., Dyer is set to proclaim the month of May as Water Safety Month. The event is scheduled to take place at the Mt. Trashmore Family YMCA, located at 4441 South Boulevard. YMCA's Safety Around the Water program will be highlighted during the event, which helps to provide essential swim lessons and life-saving water safety education to children and their families with the goal of reducing the risk of drowning. Water safety demonstrations, including floating, swimming to safety and calling for help, will also take place during the event. 10 On Your Side's Keagan Hughes will be at the event and will provide updates throughout the day. Continue to check for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Local aquatic center advises never swim alone
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) — The month of May is Water Safety Month and the Chatham County Aquatic Center shared their safety tips with WSAV News 3. The center's manager Mary Ryan Amir encourages swimmers and non-swimmers to take extra safety measures when swimming in any body of water. 'You never want to swim by yourself even if you are a great swimmer or an adult. You want to make sure you're always swimming with a supervisor,' Amir added. 'It's always better to swim with a buddy in a supervised area where there's a lifeguard.' Amir also suggested that kids ask for permission when they are about to step in the pool. This is to ensure their parents are not distracted, giving the child full attention encase an emergency arises. 'You want to make sure that parents know that their kids are in the water,' Amir said. 'Our mission is to develop safer swimmers in and around the water, near the water.' Since the month of May is Water Safety Month, the Chatham County Aquatic Center is hosting a free 'Make a Splash' event on Saturday, May 17th. The event is free for children ages 6 to 12 but however pre-registration is required. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Latham Teams With Olympic Gold Medalist and World Champion Skier Bode Miller to Promote Pool Safety Reminders for Water Safety Month
Latham Automatic Safety Cover LATHAM, N.Y., May 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With summer just around the corner, Latham, The Pool Company [NASDAQ:SWIM], is reminding families to prioritize safety as we head into peak swimming season. During National Water Safety Month this May, the leading manufacturer of in-ground residential swimming pools is teaming up with Olympic and World Championship gold medalist and two-time Overall World Cup Champion Bode Miller to share essential pool safety tips with the goal of helping to prevent accidents and ensuring that homeowners can enjoy their pools with confidence. 'Drowning prevention is a cause that's deeply personal to me, which is why I've partnered with Latham and Coverstar to help raise awareness about the importance of pool safety,' said Bode Miller, whose 19-month-old daughter accidentally drowned in a neighbor's pool back in 2018. 'Simple steps like swim lessons and installing an autocover can make all the difference in keeping kids safe around the water.' According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning is the leading cause of death among children ages 1–4, with more than 4,000 unintentional drowning deaths in the U.S. every year.* By taking proactive measures, pool owners can help create a safer swimming environment for their loved ones. 'Swimming pools are a place of joy, relaxation and family fun—but safety should always come first,' said Scott Rajeski, President and CEO of Latham. 'At Latham, we are committed to not only delivering high-quality pools, but also to providing education on how to create a secure pool environment. Water Safety Month is the perfect time to talk about how to make backyard swimming pools as safe as possible.' Following are five essential water safety tips from the experts at Latham: Never Leave Children Unattended – Always have an adult supervising when children are in or near an open pool. Designate a 'Water Watcher' to remain alert and avoid distractions like phones. Teach Kids to Swim – According to the National Institute of Health, formal swim lessons can reduce the risk of drowning in children ages 1-4 by 88%.** It's important to enroll children in swim lessons as soon as possible. Install an Automatic Safety Cover – One of the most effective ways to prevent tragic accidents is by installing an automatic safety cover. Made with ultra-durable material that is essentially impenetrable, these covers provide a secure barrier that keeps kids, pets, wildlife and unauthorized guests out of the water. Additionally, a keyed safety switch is required for operation, providing peace of mind when the pool is not in use and when owners are away.'You wouldn't build a house without a roof, would you? The same thinking applies to a pool,' explained Rajeski. 'Our Coverstar automatic pool covers offer incredible peace of mind for homeowners looking to keep loved ones and pets out of harm's way. They also help to maintain water quality and reduce evaporation, making them a smart investment overall.' Practice Water Safety – Make sure every member of the household is educated on essential water safety rules, such as never swimming alone and always practicing the 'feet first' rule when entering a pool or spa. Be Prepared for Emergencies – Keep safety equipment, such as a life ring and first aid kit, near the pool. It can also be helpful to learn CPR and ensure family and friends know how to respond in case of an emergency. To learn more about water safety and automatic safety covers, visit * Drowning Data | Drowning Prevention | CDC** Association Between Swimming Lessons and Drowning in Childhood: A Case-Control Study - PMC About Latham, The Pool CompanyHeadquartered in Latham, NY, Latham Group, Inc., is the largest designer, manufacturer, and marketer of in-ground residential swimming pools and pool accessories in North America, Australia, and New Zealand. With over 60 years of experience and a coast-to-coast operations platform across 24 locations, the company offers a broad range of pool products, including fiberglass, vinyl liner, and automatic safety covers made by Coverstar. Based in Lindon, Utah, Coverstar is the leader in the automatic pool cover industry and a subsidiary of Latham Pool Products. For more information, visit Contact: Abigail Cox or Rachel IzsakL.C. Williams & Associates 800/837-7123 or 312/565-3900acox@ or rizsak@ A photo accompanying this announcement is available at in to access your portfolio
Associated Press
02-05-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Latham Teams With Olympic Gold Medalist and World Champion Skier Bode Miller to Promote Pool Safety Reminders for Water Safety Month
LATHAM, N.Y., May 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With summer just around the corner, Latham, The Pool Company [NASDAQ:SWIM], is reminding families to prioritize safety as we head into peak swimming season. During National Water Safety Month this May, the leading manufacturer of in-ground residential swimming pools is teaming up with Olympic and World Championship gold medalist and two-time Overall World Cup Champion Bode Miller to share essential pool safety tips with the goal of helping to prevent accidents and ensuring that homeowners can enjoy their pools with confidence. 'Drowning prevention is a cause that's deeply personal to me, which is why I've partnered with Latham and Coverstar to help raise awareness about the importance of pool safety,' said Bode Miller, whose 19-month-old daughter accidentally drowned in a neighbor's pool back in 2018. 'Simple steps like swim lessons and installing an autocover can make all the difference in keeping kids safe around the water.' According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning is the leading cause of death among children ages 1–4, with more than 4,000 unintentional drowning deaths in the U.S. every year.* By taking proactive measures, pool owners can help create a safer swimming environment for their loved ones. 'Swimming pools are a place of joy, relaxation and family fun—but safety should always come first,' said Scott Rajeski, President and CEO of Latham. 'At Latham, we are committed to not only delivering high-quality pools, but also to providing education on how to create a secure pool environment. Water Safety Month is the perfect time to talk about how to make backyard swimming pools as safe as possible.' Following are five essential water safety tips from the experts at Latham: To learn more about water safety and automatic safety covers, visit * Drowning Data | Drowning Prevention | CDC ** Association Between Swimming Lessons and Drowning in Childhood: A Case-Control Study - PMC About Latham, The Pool Company Headquartered in Latham, NY, Latham Group, Inc., is the largest designer, manufacturer, and marketer of in-ground residential swimming pools and pool accessories in North America, Australia, and New Zealand. With over 60 years of experience and a coast-to-coast operations platform across 24 locations, the company offers a broad range of pool products, including fiberglass, vinyl liner, and automatic safety covers made by Coverstar. Based in Lindon, Utah, Coverstar is the leader in the automatic pool cover industry and a subsidiary of Latham Pool Products. For more information, visit Contact: Abigail Cox or Rachel Izsak L.C. Williams & Associates 800/837-7123 or 312/565-3900 [email protected] or [email protected] A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
