Swim lessons safe for one-year-olds

In new guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics, experts now recommend children should learn to swim at one year.

Previously, they recommended children at age four or older should receive swimming lessons.

The reason they were originally against swimming lessons for kids under four was that no studies proved learning to swim at such an early age prevented drowning.

In fact, there was a concern that parents whose young babies supposedly knew how to swim may be less vigilant when supervising the kids around the water.

There is now evidence, however, that kids between the ages of one and four are less likely to drown if they are given formal swimming lessons.

According to Jeffrey Weiss, lead author of the new policy statement: "Parents must look at the skills, maturity level and frequency of their child's exposure to water to determine when they are ready for lessons. Not every child is ready to learn to swim at the same age."

One of the reasons the AAP lowered the age recommendation is because of the increase in sales of large, inexpensive portable inflatable pools. Because they are portable, they are often exempt from building codes requiring them to be fenced in. Their soft side poses a danger, as a child could lean over and fall in head first.

The AAP notes that teenagers and toddlers are at the greatest risk for drowning.

Weiss says that "no matter what, children cannot be drownproof, and every child needs to eventually learn to swim and must always be closely supervised around water."

Connie Harvey, head of aquatics development for the American Red Cross, suggests parents should choose classes that emphasize water safety, have at least one instructor for every 10 students, and also require the parents be in the water with their child.

Swimming weather is upon us. Get organized with the following water safety tips for your kids:

* The AAP also warns of the hazards of hair and hands getting sucked into the drains of pools, and reminds to check for proper drain covers before letting our kids get in.

* Children should never be left alone near any type of water, including bathtubs, irrigation ditches, standing water or even toilets. It only takes a few inches of water to drown a child.

* Close supervision means being within arm's length of a young child.

* Pools should be protected by at least a four-foot, four-sided fence that is not chain-link, making it harder to climb. Gates should automatically latch and pool alarms should be considered.

* Parents and caregivers should learn CPR if they participate in frequent swimming activities with kids.

* Keep rescue equipment such as a shepherd's hook and portable phone nearby.

* Remind kids never to dive into water without knowing depth and what is on the bottom. If they must jump, go feet first.