NYC Won’t Offer Swim Programs at Public Pools Due to Lifeguard Shortage – NBC New York

New York City residents looking to enjoy swim programs at public outdoor pools this summer, such as those geared toward seniors or those teaching swimming, won’t be able to do so this year.

This is due to a nationwide lifeguard shortage, the New York City Parks Department said Tuesday in announcing that they will not offer these programs for this reason. In total there are four programs affected by this measure and that they will leave New Yorkers unable to take these seasonal services.

“Due to a nationwide lifeguard shortage, we will unfortunately not be offering swim programs at our outdoor pools this summer, including Lap Swim, Senior Swim and Learn to Swim,” the department said on its Twitter account.

The Department clarified that while they regret not being able to offer the swim programs, New York City’s outdoor public pools will open as usual to individuals.

The pools are scheduled to open to the public for swimming on June 28 daily from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The announcement by the New York City Parks Department comes at a time when drowning accidents, some of them fatal, are being reported and these programs could help people learn to swim. In fact, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) asks parents to enroll their children in swimming lessons as a precaution.

“Childhood drowning rates and non-fatal drowning injuries among children under the age of 15 remain high, and water safety vigilance is as important as ever this summer for parents and caregivers,” said the president of CPSC Alex Hoehn-Saric. “Whether a child is playing in a community pool, a neighbor’s pool, or their own, we urge parents and caregivers to prepare their children for water-related activities by reviewing Pool Safely and signing up for swim lessons this summer. By working together, we can help reduce pool and spa-related deaths.”

The latest report from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) shows that child drowning deaths and drowning injuries in children under the age of 15 continue to be high. That’s why CPSC is asking families and caregivers to make water safety a priority this summer and be extra vigilant.

For example, the report noted that nonfatal pool- or spa-related drowning injuries treated in the hospital department involving children under the age of 15 increased 17 percent in 2021 with 6,800 reported injuries, compared to 2020 with 5,800. Of pool- or spa-related child drowning fatalities, 73 percent involved children under 5 years of age.

CPSC asks people to follow steps to prevent tragedies, such as never leaving a child unattended. HERE WE SHARE A GUIDE ON HOW TO AVOID DROWNING IN POOLS DURING THE SUMMER.

Some cases have already been reported in the tri-state area. This week two people drowned in a New Jersey lake around the same time a toddler was pulled from a home pool on Long Island.. Another case occurred last month, when a 2-year-old boy drowned in a backyard pool in New York’s Rockland Countyrk, authorities said.

While these risks affect all Americans, data from partner organizations shows that there are significant racial disparities when it comes to water safety: Black and Hispanic children drown at higher rates and have poorer swimming ability. disproportionately lower than white children.

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