Many young children love being in and around water, whether it’s a backyard pool or the local beach. But without proper safety measures, water can be dangerous for young children.  

Drowning is one of the leading causes of death among children 1 to 4 years of age. Babies and toddlers drown most often at home, in bathtubs and swimming pools.  

Drowning only takes a second and is almost always silent. Children can drown in as little as 5 cm (2 inches) of water.  

Do swimming lessons prevent drowning?
There is no research to show that swimming lessons for children younger than 4 years of age will prevent drowning. At this age, children are not old enough to learn how to swim on their own. They are too young to react with water survival skills that would help them in an emergency situation.  

When can my child take swimming lessons?
There is not a lot of research about the exact age when young children are ready to learn how to swim. Several studies show that children do not have the skills to swim on their own until they are 4 years old, even if they start lessons at a younger age.  

If your child is younger than 4 years old, look for swimming programs that focus on building water confidence and that teach parents about water safety. These are great opportunities for families to participate in fun activities that contribute to a healthy lifestyle.  

Personal flotation devices (PFDs) and life jackets for babies and toddlers 

• Check the label to be sure that your child’s PFD or life jacket meets current national safety standards and that it is the right size for your child’s weight.
• Approved PFDs and life jackets are not available in Canada for infants who weigh less than 9 kg (20 lb). There is no safety standard for smaller infants.  
• Life jackets are different from PFDs. They have a head support cushion to keep the head and face of an unconscious victim out of the water.

Water safety tips  

• All children should be supervised by an adult when they are in or around water and should never be left alone in a pool or bathtub, even for a moment.
• Infants and toddlers should always be within arm’s reach of an adult when they are in or around water. This includes pools, bathtubs, and beaches, and other water sources.
• Infants who cannot sit unsupported and are too young to wear a PFD should be held by an adult at all times.
• The Lifesaving Society recommends an adult supervision ratio of 1:1 for infants (one adult supervising only one infant) and 1:2 for children younger than 3 years old (no more than two children under 3 years for each adult). Teens should not supervise infants and toddlers without a “buddy” adult supervisor.
• PFDs or life jackets should be used by all infants who weigh at least 9 kg (20 lb) and by toddlers who are swimming or playing near or in the water.
• Home swimming pools should be fenced on all four sides and have self-­closing and self-latching gates, latched from the inside. The gate latch should be above the reach of children and locked when not in use. Check local bylaws for the height and type of fence required in your area.
• Empty toddler and other portable backyard pools after use (at least once daily when used every day). This will also prevent standing water and reduce the risk of West Nile Virus.
• Parents and pool owners should learn how to swim and how to rescue a drowning victim, and should maintain certification in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Pool owners should have an emergency action plan, rescue equipment, and a telephone on the deck or poolside.

For more information: Swimming lessons for infants and toddlers, a statement of the Canadian Paediatric Society

Developed by the CPS Injury Prevention Committee  

Updated: August 2007