SafeSplash Highlights Early Water Safety During Baby Safety Month

SafeSplash Swim School is using Baby Safety Month in September to encourage families to begin water safety education during infancy and toddlerhood.

The initiative emphasizes multiple layers of drowning prevention, including active supervision, barriers to unintended water access, life jackets, CPR preparedness and age-appropriate swim instruction. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the leading cause of death for U.S. children ages 1 to 4.

“Families often think about water safety after a child can swim independently, but prevention must start much earlier,” says Alissa Magrum, executive director of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance. “Efforts that help parents and caregivers understand that undistracted supervision, barriers and alarms, life jackets, CPR readiness and emergency preparedness are critical layers of protection should work alongside the process of introducing infants and toddlers to the water in a positive, age-appropriate way.”

SafeSplash’s ParentTot and Toddler Transition programs introduce young children to the water while teaching parents and caregivers safer routines. Lessons include skills such as safe pool entry and exit, breath control and supported floating.

Participating SafeSplash locations will also offer Baby Safety Month events, including ParentTot open swims and infant CPR awareness sessions. CPR events will feature instruction from certified instructors, local emergency personnel or Red Cross providers, depending on the location, as well as information about the National Drowning Prevention Alliance’s Five Layers of Protection.

“Water safety is something families should begin thinking about from the earliest stages of childhood,” says Chris Harkness, president of SafeSplash Swim School. “The habits families create around water today help support a lifetime of safer swimming.”

For participating locations and event information, visit safesplash.com.