May is National Water Safety Month, and as families get ready for fun in the sun, the Kokomo Family YMCA is reminding parents and caregivers that water safety should be at the top of their summer checklist.

Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death for kids ages 1–14, but it’s also preventable. As one of the nation’s largest community-based providers of swim lessons and water safety programs, the Kokomo Family YMCA is committed to helping families keep kids safe in and around the water.

The Kokomo Family YMCA recommends parents and caregivers follow these six essential tips:

1. Always ask first. Teach kids to ask an adult for permission before going near or into the water.
2. Never swim alone. Always swim with a buddy and under adult supervision or with a lifeguard on duty.
3. Stay within arm’s reach. Keep young children within arm’s reach, even if they can swim.
4. Skip breath-holding games. Avoid prolonged breath-holding underwater.
5. Wear a life jacket. Non-swimmers and inexperienced swimmers should wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
6. Reach or throw, don’t go. Teach kids to help a friend in deep water with a reaching object or flotation device instead of jumping in themselves.

The Kokomo Family YMCA offers swim lessons and water safety programs year-round to help children and families gain the skills and confidence they need to stay safe.