Summer is here, which means many families and their children will be swimming in the water in order to avoid the hot temperatures. The YMCA of Cass and Clay Counties are holding a Water Safety Day event today. The pools in the area will have activities that will teach kids to stay safe while having fun in the water. Maxwell Ommen, Aquatics Coordinator at the Y, says that they want to reinforce safety around the pools and the lakes. He says participants will learn how to call for help and basic swimming skills. Ommen says that it is important for parents to be informed, and education is the key. Lifejackets are a popular safety device, and Ommen says that families must understand information and guidelines about lifejackets.
“So, when it comes to lifejackets, Coastguard approved is always the way to go. We want to make sure it fits nice and snug; it’s not too big, it’s not too loose. We also want to make sure just that parents are always watching their kids. The lifeguards are always there to help out when things don’t go as planned, but parents watching their kids is really the number one way to keep kids safe.”
Ommen says that water safety is important everywhere where water is present; whether it is lakes, pools, or at home. Kids will be in the water as the summer gets hotter, and preparing them for anything will keep them safe.