After Multiple Horrifying Drowning Incidents, New Jersey Announces a ?Free for All? Swimming Deal

Swimming is a leisure activity, but it can often lead to unforeseen tragedies. The state of New Jersey has witnessed an alarming number of drownings recently. Only a week ago, a father drowned in the Millstone River while rescuing his three children from the river. The children aged 8, 11, and 13 years old were in distress soon after they entered the water. After bravely taking his kids to safety, the 42-year-old father lost his balance and disappeared into the river. In a similar accident last month, a father drowned in a pond in Maine, New Jersey. He was also rescuing his two daughters, who had been swept away and thrown into the deeper section by the water.

Taking heed of the rise in drownings in the state, Union County, New Jersey, is taking a bold step to ensure the safety of its young residents this summer. Since studies reveal that young children make up a major number of drowning cases in the United States, Union County aims to save lives and promote water safety with its latest free program.

Union County to launch a free swimming program

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is rolling out an innovative pilot program, free swim lessons for kids. This endeavor falls perfectly in line with Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados’ theme for 2023, which is Building a Stronger Union County. Union County is set to provide free swim lessons at the Walter E. Ulrich Memorial in partnership with the Gateway Family YMCA.

The program is slated to take place during the week of August 21, offering a golden opportunity for youngsters to develop crucial swimming skills that can potentially save lives. In this initial phase of the pilot program, 24 fortunate children will have the privilege of participating, with slots allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

The program is scheduled from Monday, August 21, to Friday, August 25, and will manage four half-hour sessions on each day. Tailored to cater to various age groups, the schedule ensures that children aged 3 to 6 can dive in from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Following this, the pool will be open to children aged 7 to 12 for the second session. During the 11:00 am to 11:30 am slot, both age groups will be welcome to make maximum use of the program.

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According to a New Jersey 101.5 report, Granados said, ?Children account for one out of every four drowning deaths, so working in collaboration through our Union County Parks and Recreation Department and Gateway Family YMCA, I?m eager to launch this pilot program in order to emphasize water safety and swimming skills among out youngest residents.”?This program is the need of the hour for the state as the recent drownings have left the state devastated. But the latest drowning incident in the state has completely left people in shock.

Toddler drowns in a New Jersey pool

According to reports, the latest drowning accident occurred in Spotswood where a 1-year-old toddler drowned in a swimming pool. After authorities arrived on the scene, they confirmed that the child was not breathing. CPR was performed on the toddler, but soon after reaching the hospital, the 1-year-old was pronounced dead. County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone is yet to reveal the location of the pool, the events leading up to the unfortunate drowning, or if any adults were present at the scene during the accident.

Accidents like these signify the need for such swimming programs. The upcoming pilot program is more than a one-time endeavor. Once the current program shows signs of success, Granados is aiming for a full-scale launch next year in order to benefit the maximum number of Union County children. Parents, guardians, and community members are encouraged to act swiftly and secure spots for their youngsters in this invaluable program. Interested parents can register their kids by contacting Angelica Cedeno at 908-558-2279 or through email at acadeno@ucnj.org.

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