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By Taylor Allen
alexandrianews.org

Once it gets hot, kids are naturally drawn to playing in and near water. A recent near drowning experience at an Alexandria City pool reminds us all that water safety is important. Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children and adolescents. Drowning does not only happen in pools; bathtubs, buckets, toilets, and hot tubs present drowning dangers as well.

Even with these statistics, the rate of drowning has actually fallen in the past 20 years. In 1985, the rate of drowning was 2.68 per 100,000, while in 2006 the rate had been halved to 1.32 per 100,000.

While learning how to swim does not completely remove the possibility of drowning, it does decrease your chances of drowning. This is especially true for African-Americans and Hispanics. A study commissioned by USA Swimming, the sport's governing body, finds that African-Americans and Hispanics are less likely to learn how to swim than whites. Nearly 2,000 low-income children and adults were surveyed by University of Memphis researchers in six cities with help from local YMCA’s.

For parents, there is no worse nightmare than to see their child dying and not be able to save them. For black parents, who are far less likely than their white counterparts to know how to swim, the fear of a child drowning can be especially strong. That fear can cause them to try to keep their children as far away from pools as possible; it is just one of several reasons why, generation after generation, many African-Americans never learn to swim. Nearly 70% of black children between the ages of six and sixteen have "low or no" swimming skills—almost twice the figure for whites. (The nonswimming rate for Hispanic children is also high: 58%.) As a result, black children (age range: five to 14) are almost three times as likely to die from drowning as white children. Black boys—who drown at twice the rate of African-American girls—are most at risk.

USA Swimming estimates that the average beginners program costs about $100 for 16 lessons, the minimum number necessary to ensure measurable progress. Though even that cost can be prohibitive for low-income families, the the pros outweigh the cons. At worst, kids learn how to save their own lives. At best, they get hooked on a sport they can enjoy for years.

The Red Cross offers these safety steps you can take to help ensure a fun-filled, safe time while you’re swimming:

Water Safety Tips:

• Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim. Always swim with a buddy; never swim alone. Swimming lessons are offered through the Alexandria YMCA and through the Alexandria Department of Recreation.
• Swim in areas supervised by a lifeguard.
• Read and obey all rules and posted signs.
• Children or inexperienced swimmers should take precautions, such as wearing a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal floatation device (PFD) when around the water.
• Watch out for the dangerous “too’s” – too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, too much strenuous activity.
• Set water safety rules for the whole family based on swimming abilities (for example, inexperienced swimmers should stay in water less than chest deep).
• Be knowledgeable of the water environment you are in and its potential hazards, such as deep and shallow areas, currents, depth changes, obstructions and where the entry and exit points are located. The more informed you are, the more aware you will be of hazards and safe practices.
• Pay attention to local weather conditions and forecasts. Stop swimming at the first indication of bad weather.
• Use a feet-first entry when entering the water.
• Enter headfirst only when the area is clearly marked for diving and has no obstructions.
• Do not mix alcohol with swimming, diving or boating. Alcohol impairs your judgment, balance, and coordination, affects your swimming and diving skills, and reduces your body's ability to stay warm.
• Know how to prevent, recognize, and respond to emergencies.

Alexandria City Pools

The City of Alexandria operates two large and two small pools that are open to the public.

Large Pools:

Old Town Pool
1609 Cameron St. - (Cross St.: Harvard) - 703.299.0420
Operating Hours:

• May 28 - June 26 (Weekends only from noon – 7 p.m.)
• June 27 -August 21 (Open daily, Monday - Sunday, from noon – 7 p.m.)
• Please note: on Wed. July 13, the main pool will be reserved for swim meet use beginning at 5 pm.
• August 22 - September 2 (Monday – Friday from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.)
• Weekends & Labor Day from noon – 7 p.m.

Holidays

• Monday, May 30 from noon - 7 p.m.
• Monday, July 4 from noon - 7 p.m.
• Monday, September 5 from noon - 7 p.m.

Warwick Pool

3301 Landover St. - (Cross St.: Burgess) - 703.519.0616
Operating Hours:

• May 28 - June 26 (Weekends only from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
• June 27 -August 21 (Monday through Friday from noon– 7 p.m., weekends from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
• August 22 - September 2 (Monday – Friday from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m., weekends & Labor Day from11 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

Holidays

• Monday, May 30 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Monday, July 4 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Monday, September 5 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

General Admission

Child (0 - 4) with paying adult Free
Youth (5-17) $1
Adult (18-59) $2
Senior (60 & older) Free
Nonresident $3

Outdoor Pool Season Pass
Child (0 - 4) with paying adult Free
Youth (5-17) $53
Adult (18-59) $105
Seniors (60 & older) Free
Family (includes up to 4) $288
Nonresident Not Available

Small Pools:

The Memorial Pool
Charles Houston Recreation Center
901 Wythe St. - (Cross St.: Patrick) - 703.299.6510
Operating Hours

• Monday - Friday: Noon to 6 p.m.

Extended Hours:

• Tuesday & Thursday: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Saturday:10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Sunday:Noon to 6 p.m

John Ewald Pool
4500 Duke St. - (Cross St.: N. Jordan) - 703.370.0953

Operating Hours

• Monday, Wednesday & Friday: Noon to 6 p.m.
• Tuesday & Thursday: Noon to 5 p.m

Extended Hours (Adult Swim Only)

• Tuesday & Thursday: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Due to limited size, the Neighborhood Pools are restricted to Alexandria residents 13 years of age and younger. Parents are welcome to accompany their children. Admission is free.