Time for aqua safety

CASEY Aquatic and Recreation Centre is urging parents to educate their children about the importance of water safety this summer.
The centre is running a five-day swimming program for primary school children in January in the hope of preventing drownings in the area. “The key focus of the YMCA’s AquaSafe Holiday Program is to provide students with opportunities to gain vital water safety skills and personal survival knowledge to help keep them safer in all aquatic environments,” said Casey ARC manager Wes Hurrey.
According to the Royal Life Saving Society there were 314 drowning fatalities in Australia between July 2009 and June this year, a 4 per cent increase from the previous year.
“Particularly during summer, children experience a lot of different water environments, whether it’s a backyard or public pool, a river, lake, beach, or the ocean,” said Mr Hurrey.
“We want to prepare children for the potential dangers of these environments.”
Parents will receive a ten per cent discount if they enrol their children in the program before Monday, 20 December.
“It’s important to keep their water safety and survival skills on track over summer to prevent a fun family holiday turning to tragedy.”
For more information call 9705 5000 or visit www.caseyarc .ymca.org.au