The
Smithfield Recreation and Aquatics Center
(SRAC) partnered with Alligator Steps, the
Local Government Federal Credit Union, and
SafeKids Johnston County to participate in
"The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson" last
Thursday (June 20). More than 100 children
ages 3-10 participated here.
"The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson" was
created to spread the word that swimming
lessons save lives. Drowning is the leading
cause of unintended, injury-related related
deaths of children ages 1-4.
The event was started in 2010 as a platform
to support public education about safer
water practices. Research shows that
children ages 1-4 can reduce the risk of
drowning by 88% after formal swim lessons.
Last year, 41,181 individuals participated
in "The World Largest Swimming Lesson."
Here's what
you do as a parent to protect your child in
and around water:
• Enroll your kids in formal swimming
lessons.
• If you don’t know how to swim, enroll
yourself, too.
• Never leave kids alone in or around water.
• Designate a "WATER WATCHER" whenever
children are close to or in the water.
Being safe in and around water requires
constant, careful supervision of children,
appropriate fencing and safety equipment,
and knowing what to do in an emergency.
