All babies born at Citrus Memorial Hospital will receive free water safety swim lessons from the Citrus Memorial Health Foundation YMCA.
More children under the age of four drown in Florida than anywhere else in the nation. Annually, there are enough children under the age of five lost to drowning to fill three or four preschool classrooms. These deaths are preventable, and the YMCA is committed to teaching children how to be safe in and around water.
"This program teaches children the basics of skills that can help to save their lives in the event of a drowning incident (floating on their backs, climbing out of the pool, etc.) in a safe and fun environment," says Garrett Adkins, Senior Membership Director at the Citrus Memorial YMCA.
"As importantly, this class is taught with a parent in the water with their child, and provides us the opportunity to teach caregivers how to both practice these skills with their child, and be mindful of dangerous situations in and around the water."
In partnership with the Citrus Memorial Hospital, the Citrus YMCA will be offering one free parent/child swim lesson session (8 lessons) to each child born at Citrus Memorial Hospital. All parents need to do is call or stop by the Citrus YMCA before their child’s first birthday to redeem the session.
"Parents should be prepared to get in the water with their child," says Garrett. "They will be led through games and skill practice to build their child’s swimming ability." All classes are taught by a certified swim instructor, who will also take time to discuss the program with parents to help build their understanding around water safety.
Innovative programs like this are made possible through the Y’s long term partnership with the Citrus Memorial Health Foundation.