Pools Open Early While AAP Changes Recommended Swimming Age

Summer weather arrived quickly in St. Louis once again this year and one public swimming pool is taking advantage of the heat. The Webster Groves Rec Center Pool opened up a week early to take advantage of the early heat and the end of school. But with summer water activities, there is also a renewed effort by many public health groups to spread the word about water safety.

The American Academy of Pediatrics is even revising their long-standing recommendation that parents wait to teach swimming until their child is four years ago. New data shows that youth swimming lessons after the age of one can help prevent drownings. The change in recommendation also comes with a warning to parents.

Pediatrician Dr. Mark Groshek says there's still a warning to parents not to get too confident in their kids abilities. "That's the worry that we have is that parents will be falsely reassured that their six-month, nine-month or two-year-old can be in water and be safe. And that's just not true."


Despite the popularity of baby swimming classes, the AAP still doesn't recommend the water safety classes for kids under one year. Groups that teach the Infant Swim Resource classes disagree saying it helps save lives and creates confidence in the water.

The Missouri Water Patrol is also pointing out that the water rescue over the weekend on the Meramec River is another good reminder that anytime kids are on the water they need to have life jackets on.

Get Water Safety Tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics

Safety Tips from the American Red Cross