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Pool Safety Important For Parents, Children

Posted: 5:40 pm MDT May 31, 2008Updated: 8:13 pm MDT May 31, 2008

It's that time of the year when kids and adults dive back into the pool to get some relief from the heat, but before you or your children get in the water, the YMCA said they are here to teach everyone how to stay safe at the pool.

"We're adding more swimming lessons to our schedule, this is the time of year when people think about water safety and think about getting their kids to learn how to swim, so where making sure they have abundant opportunities for them to get in," said Kevin Pearson with the YMCA of El Paso.

Pearson also said parents need to be educated too.

"The No. 1 thing in pool safety in aquatic safety is supervision. Whether it be at the home pool with parents or baby sitters, watching the pool and not being distracted, or swimming in life-guarded areas," Pearson told KFOX.

Adril Cisneros brought her child to the YMCA for some swimming classes.

"To have swimming lessons at a young age is something that is important for everyone," said Cisneros, who lives in West El Paso.

Kennedy Robinson, who brought her brother the pool, said swimming lessons helped her.

"I really like them because not only did you have fun with them, but you learn pool safety, and it really helps," said Robinson.

Pearson believes swimming education saves lives.

"So that the kids know what to do in the event of an emergency in the water, and parents need to know how to look at an aquatic facility and go, 'Is this safe?'" said Pearson.

The YMCA has a very special program coming up for families called "splash week." From June 9 through June 13, kids and parents can learn the basics of swimming along with pool safety. The whole program, five classes in all, costs just $5, and is available at various YMCA locations around El Paso.

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