The Y to Offer 18,000 At-Risk Youth Free Access to Safety Around Water Program

During National Water Safety Month, Y-USA commits to help all children stay safe in and around water, with an emphasis on reaching at-risk African American and Hispanic/Latino children

With Memorial Day weekend almost here, the unofficial start of summer is right around the corner. As kids and families flocking to public and residential pools, lakes and beaches, it's important to remember that drowning is the second-leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children ages 1 to 14 years old, and sadly African American children ages 5 to 14 are three times more likely to drown than their white peers.

That’s why during the month of May, the YMCA of the USA recognizes National Water Safety Month and has pledged to provide more than 18,000 scholarships for free swim lessons to children from underserved communities—with an emphasis on reaching at-risk African American and Hispanic/Latino children—as a part of its Safety Around Water program.

So while fatal drowning is a concern for all kids, children of color are disproportionately at-risk. The Y is dedicated to reversing the alarming statistics about youth drowning rates, especially in African American and Hispanic/Latino communities:

·         3 kids die every day from drowning

·         Drowning is the second-leading cause of deaths for kids ages 5-14

·         African American children ages 5 to 14 are 3 times more likely to drown than their white peers

·         70 percent of African American and 60 percent of Hispanic children cannot swim, compared to just 40 percent of Caucasian children

·         88 percent of kids who drown do so under adult supervision

·         60 percent of kids who drown are within 10 feet of safety

·         Participation in formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88 percent among children one to four years old

·         More than 1 million kids take swim lessons at the Y every year

Through the Y’s Safety Around Water program, parents and caregivers will help their children learn fundamental water safety and swimming skills. Armed with these skills, children will know how to reach the water’s surface if they become submerged, safely reach a pool’s edge, exit any body of water and respond to unexpected water situations. 

***No compensation received. Posted to raise awareness***