This May, the Y is focused on one important goal: helping keep our community safe in and around the water. With drowning remaining a leading cause of accidental death for children, water safety education and access to swim lessons are more important than ever.

All month long, stop by the Welcome Desk for water safety tips, take-home rubber ducks, and coloring books that make learning about safety fun and engaging for kids. Be sure to follow us on social media, where our Water Safety Buddies, Sam & Sally, will be sharing simple tips to help keep safety top of mind.

Families can also visit our Water Safety Selfie Wall outside the Aquatics Office near Pool 1 to take the pledge to stay safe around water, snap a photo, and even be featured on our social channels.

As part of Water Safety Month, we’re also supporting the YMCA’s Phones Down, Eyes Up™ campaign—a simple reminder that staying present and attentive around water can save lives.

Help more families gain life-saving skills.

From May 11–16, members can take part in our 3rd Annual Piranha-thon, hosted in Pools 1 & 2. Members are invited to swim during scheduled lap swim times and collect pledges based on the number of laps they complete, or make a flat donation. Every lap helps provide life-saving swim lessons and supports our swim team. Create a team and fundraise or donate!

You can also give back through our “Dive Into Giving” Aquatics Raffle, running May 11–21 in the lobby. Purchase tickets for a chance to win themed baskets while supporting our Financial Assistance Program—helping ensure individuals and families in our community have access to swim lessons, regardless of their ability to pay.

Every lap, every ticket, and every pledge makes a difference. Together, we can help build confidence, teach life-saving skills, and create a safer summer for all.

Visit PhonesDownEyesUp.org to take the pledge and learn more about how you can help keep kids safe around water, this summer and all year long.

Watch: Phones Down, Eyes Up Video

Read: Stay Safe on Your Summer Vacation: YMCA’s Top Open Water Safety Tips

Download: Water Safety Coloring Book