YMCA program teaches water safety

The YMCA Water Wise initiative aims to prevent drownings through education, raising public awareness regarding water safety and teaching swimming skills.

According to a press release, ways to prevent child drownings include putting in alarms on windows and doors leading to pool areas, building a 5-foot fence to separate the pool from the house, keeping rescue equipment near the pool, learning CPR, enrolling children in swim classes and discussing water safety with other adults who watch your children.

Other tips include always having an adult nearby to watch children near pools, spas, bathtubs, toilets or any other standing water where a child's nose or mouth could be submerged. The release also recommended that parents only buy life jackets that are approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.

For more water safety tips and information or to schedule a water safety presentation for a local community group, visit www.ymcahouston.org/aquatics/ymca-water-wise.