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Water Safety for
Infants & Toddlers

Water can be a source of joy — but for young children, it also presents real and often misunderstood risks. At SwimKids of Georgia, water safety is the foundation of everything we do. Our mission is to help families in Cumming and North Georgia reduce the risk of drowning through education, preparation, and proven survival swim instruction

Why Water Safety Matters for Young Children

Drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental death for children ages 1–4. What many parents don’t realize is that most drowning incidents do not happen during swim time

Safe Water Play for Non-Swimmers

When 1:1, in-the-water supervision isn’t possible, water play should still be intentional and controlled.

Safe water play options include:
  • Water tables
  • Sprinklers
  • Slip ’n slides
  • Water squirters and splash toys
These activities allow children to enjoy water experiences without increasing risk. Regardless of the setting, active adult supervision is always required in and around any form of water.

Poolside Safety: Creating Layers of Protection

Parents often ask, “What can I do at home to make my pool safer?” The answer is not one thing, it’s several.

Barriers

Install physical safeguards such as:
  • Pool fencing
  • Self-latching and self-closing gates
  • Door locks and pool alarms

Routines

Create consistent rules around pool access, including:
  • Adult permission before entering the pool
  • Clear expectations for children and caregivers

Supervision & Engagement

  • Always be in the water with unskilled swimmers
  • Designate a specific adult to actively supervise at all times
  • Keep young children within arm’s reach

Swim Aids & Distractions

  • Flotation devices do not make a child water-safe
  • Avoid phone use or photography during swim time — distractions can be dangerous

Barriers

Install physical safeguards such as:
  • Pool fencing
  • Self-latching and self-closing gates
  • Door locks and pool alarms

Routines

Create consistent rules around pool access, including:
  • Adult permission before entering the pool
  • Clear expectations for children and caregivers

Supervision & Engagement

  • Always be in the water with unskilled swimmers
  • Designate a specific adult to actively supervise at all times
  • Keep young children within arm’s reach

Swim Aids & Distractions

  • Flotation devices do not make a child water-safe
  • Avoid phone use or photography during swim time — distractions can be dangerous

Life Jackets: When They’re Necessary — and When They’re Not

When Life Jackets Are Required Life jackets should be worn:
  • On boats, docks, and piers
  • Near open water such as lakes, rivers, and oceans
  • During non-swim time when accidental entry into water is possible

USCG-approved life jackets are legally required on moving vessels and can save lives in unpredictable environments.

Why Life Jackets Have Limits

Life jackets and puddle jumpers are not learn-to-swim tools. Using them during pool play can:

  • Create unsafe swim postures
  • Give children a false sense of independence
  • Delay the development of true survival skills
Instead, adults are encouraged to enter the water with children and focus on skill-building in controlled environments.

Choosing the Right Swim Instructor for Water Safety

Not all swim programs are designed with safety as the primary goal. When evaluating swim lessons in Cumming, GA, parents should look for instructors who:

  • Hold current self-rescue or survival swim certifications
  • Provide strong parent testimonials
  • Allow parents to observe lessons
  • Offer education on water safety beyond the pool
  • Follow a structured continuation program

Questions Parents Should Ask:

  • Will my child learn how to independently get to the surface for air?
  • Will my child progress in weeks, not years?

What Safe & Effective Early Childhood Swim Lessons Look Like

At SwimKids of Georgia, we believe early swim lessons should prepare children for real-life water situations.

Look for lessons that:
  • Prioritize survival skills before comfort or games
  • Allow children to practice skills while fully clothed
  • Avoid flotation devices as teaching tools
  • Offer frequent, individualized (1:1) instruction
  • Show visible progress in weeks
  • Follow clear safety protocols

Key Outcomes of Survival Swim Instruction

  • Breath control and air recovery
  • Independent swimming with face in the water
  • Rolling to a back float and maintaining it

Why SwimKids of Georgia Is Different

SwimKids

The gold standard in survival swim.
Teacher Training
Lesson Type
Technique
Time to Swim
Seasons Available

SwimKids

The gold standard in survival swim.
100+ hours of instructor training
Private & Group Lessons
Self-rescue Roll on back to float
18-24 Lessons
Heated, indoor saline pool Open year-round

Summer Lessons

Focused on volume, inexperienced teachers.
Minimal instructor training
Private Lessons
Only self-propulsion No self-rescue skills
2-4 week summer class
Outdoor pool only Weather dependent Summer only

Traditional Swim Schools

Focused on volume, inexperienced teachers.
No hands-on instructor training & high turn over rate of instructors
Group Lessons
Bob head to breathe technique (unsafe!)
Years to learn to swim
Indoor Pool

Serving Families in
Cumming & North Georgia

SwimKids of Georgia proudly serves families throughout Cumming, Forsyth County, and North Georgia, helping parents feel confident that their children are prepared — not just participating. If you’re ready to learn more about survival swim lessons or want help deciding what’s right for your child, we’re here to help.

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