Kingsport Aquatic Center Celebrates National Water Safety Month
The Kingsport Aquatic Center will host International Water Safety Day on Tuesday, May 15 from 4:00 to 7:30 p.m. Prizes, such as swim lessons and Water Park passes, will be given out throughout the event.
“It’s so important to be familiar with basic water-safety skills, especially during summer months when people are more often in the water,” said Kari Matheney, director of the Kingsport Aquatic Center. “Learning to swim and the exposure to the water safety skills and messages that swimming lessons offer provide a lifelong foundation for drowning prevention.”
The Aquatic Center staff will host water safety demonstrations and provide water safety information. Children can take part in mini swim lessons to help determine at which swim level they should participate. Aquatic Center staff will be available to answer questions and discuss pool etiquette and safety.
International Water Safety Day schedule is as follows:
- 4:00 – 4:45 Longfellow’s W.H.A.L.E Tales Movie on Water Safety
- Legion Room
- 5:00 – 5:20 Backboarding Demo – Lifeguard Demonstration on Spinal/Head Injuries
- Outdoor Leisure Pool
- 5:30 – 5:50 Mini Swim Lesson – Free Lesson & Placement Tests
- Outdoor Leisure Pool
- 6:00 – 6:45 Longfellow’s W.H.A.L.E. Tales Movie on Water Safety
- Legion Room
- 7:00 – 7:20 Mini Swim Lesson – Free lesson & Placement Tests
- Outdoor Leisure Pool
May is dedicated to education about water safety and Governor Haslam has supported this initiative with an official proclamation. It helps bring attention to the fact that drowning is the leading cause of accidental death among children 5 and under, and the second leading cause of accidental death in children 5 – 14 years-old. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, every day about 10 people die from unintentional drowning. The main factor that contributes to drowning is lack of swimming ability.
If you or your child are interested in swimming lessons, please call 423-343-9758 or visit www.swimkingsport.com.