New Swim Safety Guidelines for Kids That You Need to Know

As we head into the unofficial start of summer (yay!), well, here’s a peek at what my family looks like during those warmer months.

via GIPHY

But also, we have some important information for all the mamas to know. And it’s serious. Because even though water and summer is super fun, water is really serious. In fact, for kids from ages one to four years old, it’s the no. 1 cause of death.

One of the best way to help prevent it is by making sure your kids know the basics of water safety — and not just the older kids. New recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics were just released and they put an emphasis on teaching swim safety at a very early age — and teaching it often.

Learn more in the below video (or here) from Josh Bitterman, the owner of the Goldfish Swim School in Overland Park, Kan.

(Also, hi, Josh! We sure love taking lessons at Goldfish Swim School!)

In case you’re more of a reader than a video watcher (or have a kiddo who likes to steal your phone when you’re on it … not that I know that from experience or anything), here are the three take-homes from the video and new guidelines.

• Swim lessons should start at age 1.
• Learning water safety and swimming isn’t a one and done thing — multiple lessons are needed at various ages.
• While it’s helpful to learn swim strokes, swim safety should be taught and practiced at every level of lessons.

At what age did you put your kiddos in swim lessons? Will this change when you do? I totally want to do a mom and babies class with the twins now! –Jenn