Keep Your Kids Safe This Summer with Tips from Olympic Swimmer Rowdy Gaines!

As summer approaches, many of us look forward to fun days at the beach, lake, or river. However, these outings come with the serious risk of drowning, a leading cause of death among young children. To help keep your kids safe, three-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer Rowdy Gaines shares some crucial tips.

Gaines emphasizes the importance of swimming lessons, noting that formal lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88%. “Giving children the life-saving gift of swim lessons can significantly lower the risk,” he says. Water safety is essential year-round, not just in summer, and children should start learning to swim early.

One great resource is Step Into Swim, an initiative dedicated to providing water safety education, especially in underserved communities. This program, part of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance, ensures that 100% of the funds raised go directly to swim lesson providers nationwide.

To find resources near you, visit stepintoswim.org. Keep your kids safe this summer and beyond!