A public swimming pool. Credit: Mario Tama/Getty Images
The height of summer conjures images of long lazy days lying by the pool or ocean, dipping in and having fun when the heat gets too much. But the water can be one of the most dangerous places to be – if you don’t know how to swim.
According to a 2012 report from the Center for Disease Control, drowning is the fifth leading cause of accidental death in the United States. Ten people lose their lives to the water every day and one in five drownings are children aged 14 and under. When it comes to minorities, African American children aged 5-14 drown at three times the rate of whites, with a similar statistic for Latino youth.
Access to local pools, swimming lessons and a lack of interest and knowledge of water based sports all add to the rising drowning rates. Southern California isn’t immune to this problem; the recession, budget cuts and costs associated with maintaining aquatic facilities has led to reduced hours in some areas and the closure of swim teams and pools in others.
The City of Commerce has bucked the trend – investing millions in a state of the art aquatic center, which has produced Olympic athletes in water polo. Swimming lessons and access to aquatic sports are offered to local residents in the City of Commerce for no and low cost, to promote water safety, fitness and overall health. Other cities struggle to keep facilities open for more than a few weeks a year.
What access do you have to swimming facilities in your local area? As a parent are you concerned about your child’s ability to swim? Should local government officials make swimming safety and access to pools a priority?
Guests:
Lilia Leon, Mayor of the City of Commerce
Pamela Wasserman, Director of Recreation and Community Services, City of Bell Gardens
Jeff Wiltse, Author of Contested Waters and Assistant Professor of History, University of Montana