Water Safety Month

Summer vacation is almost here! If you’re hitting a pool, going on a boat, fishing, or playing anywhere near the water, be sure everyone in your group knows how to swim. May is National Water Safety Month, an annual campaign coordinated by several agencies including The American Red Cross, National Drowning Prevention Alliance, and the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance. The Alaska Club is promoting the message by encouraging everyone to be water aware. Based on statistics, having confidence around water is crucial.

According to the National Drowning Prevention Alliance:

• Drowning is among the leading causes of unintentional injury from birth to adult.
• Drowning is fast, silent, and can happen in less than a minute.
• 23% of drownings happen during a family gathering by a pool.
• Drowning is preventable with supervision in and around water.
• Swimming lessons can reduce the chance of drowning by 88%

This month, The Alaska Club is asking kids to take the Safe Swimmer Pledge before they take a plunge:

“I’m a Safe Swimmer” Pledge:
I pledge to never swim alone.
I pledge to never play or swim near drains or suction fittings.
I pledge to always jump in feet first.
I pledge to obey the pool rules.

Pledge certificates will be available in the pool areas of East, South, Eagle River, Wasilla, and Fairbanks South. Kids can sign the pledge when they come for open swim, swim team practice, or swim lessons. We’ll have photo backdrops set up in the pool areas so you can snap a picture of your child proudly holding their Safe Swimmer certificate.

Post it on social media and tag The Alaska Club or email your photo to marketingmail@thealaskaclub.com and you’ll be entered to win a pool party for up to 15 friends!

Last year Eagle River member Claire Gieryic was our lucky winner. Thank you to Claire and her family for committing to water safety!

Be a part of National Water Safety Month by ensuring that your children know how to swim, monitor them when they’re around water, and ask them to take the Safe Swimmer Pledge. Our Starfish Academy offers year-round lessons for swimmers of every age and skill level. Learn more and register today at https://www.thealaskaclub.com/starfish-academy-swim-lessons.

Swimming is a life-long skill that saves lives. Let’s work together to raise awareness for water safety not only this month, but year-round.

The Alaska Club Staff

*Sources:

https://ndpa.org/5-water-safety-facts/

https://nwsm.phta.org/