Events

S.P.L.A.S.H. Day & World’s Largest Swim Lesson June 20

By Roxanne Davis | June 12, 2019

THE WOODLANDS, TX – Drowning is the leading cause of death for children under the age of 4 years old according to the National Safety Council. Teaching children how to swim and be safe around water is one of the most important life skills parents can help their children learn.

Most drownings occur due to children falling in a pool or being left alone in a bathtub. According to the Department of Family and Protective Services, 38 kids have drowned in 2019 so far. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 5 people who die from drowning are children 14 and younger. For every child who dies from a drowning, another five receive emergency department care for nonfatal submersion injuries. Texas and Florida tie with the highest number of childhood drownings in the country for children under the age of 15. In 2018, there were two drownings in Montgomery County and 10 in Harris County. Drownings are preventable and affect all people regardless of their background.

Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands, in collaboration with The Woodlands Family YMCA, Montgomery County Hospital District, and The Woodlands Township, created the S.P.L.A.S.H program to educate parents and children on water safety and to prevent childhood drownings.

The first S.P.L.A.S.H day event will be in conjunction with The World’s Largest Swim Lesson, and is designed to educate parents and children on water safety. It will be held on Thursday, June 20, 2019 from 1-4 p.m. at The Woodlands Family YMCA at Branch Crossing, 8100 Ashlane Way, The Woodlands, TX 77382.

This is a free community event hosted by The Woodlands Family YMCA, The Woodlands Township, Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands, Montgomery County Hospital District, Emler Swim School, and the Army Corps of Engineers. Activities will include a free 30 minute swim lesson for ages 3-12, and info/activity booths on CPR, life jacket sizing/safety, pool barriers/alarms, water watcher, and more. Pre-registration is required for swim lesson. To register, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/free-community-splash-day-100-400pm-tickets-62854896688. For more information please call 281-367-YMCA.