PLATTSBURGH — Plattsburgh YMCA is hosting its Safety Around Water week from June 24 through June 27.
During Safety Around Water week, the YMCA is hosting classes composed of four 30-minute sessions, with the goal of reducing the risk of drowning among children through building their confidence in and around water, organizers said in a press release. “There will be a focus on teaching a child that when they fall in the water, they can swim, float, swim, tread and exit the water,” the release stated.
According to organizers, the different levels build on skill sequences to enable a child to help save themselves or tread/float long enough for help to arrive.
The program is intended for children who are not currently enrolled in a swim lesson program.
Organizers said the region is home to one of the largest lakes in the United States with Lake Champlain and various other water ways and many local families will be finding summer fun in and around the water this summer.
“These days of summer should be full of adventure and fun but understanding the importance of water safety with children should not be overlooked,” the release stated.
According to the statement, the CDC estimates there are 11 deaths from drowning daily. In the United States drowning is the number one cause of death in children ages 1 to 4 and increased by 28% in 2022 compared to 2019. It is also the second leading cause of death in children 5 to 14 years of age.
In 2023, the U.S. launched the U.S. National Water Safety Action Plan to reduce the number of drowning deaths per year and improve access to swimming lessons and water safety classes, according to the release.
“This week of classes is one way we can help kids in our community learn safety skills that could save their lives,” Rick Almond-Goerlitz, Plattsburgh YMCA’s Aquatics Director, said in the release. “Not only is this class for kids, but to help their care givers understand the importance of proper supervision at beaches, pools, and any activity around or in water. We have an excellent team of aquatic professionals that can’t wait to meet new parents and kids in our community that may not have discovered the YMCA Aquatics team.”
To register a child for the program visit the Plattsburgh YMCA website at www.plattsburghymca.org. For those who want to learn more about this program or have questions contact Almond-Goerlitz at ralmondgoerlitz@plattsburghymca.org.