The Florida Health Department says there are enough children who drown in Florida to fill up four kindergarten classrooms.
That number was three before the pandemic.
One mom nearly lost her daughter to drowning.
And that prompted Mindy York to help develop the Baby Otter Swim School.
She vowed to never see another parent go through what she did.
York says learning to swim in Florida, with all the water everywhere, is critical.
“So it’s as important as putting your child in a car seat,” said York. “You wouldn’t get in a car without buckling them in a car seat. You don’t go near a pool without teaching them how to swim.”
York says drownings are up 70 percent during the pandemic.
“It’s a passion of mine, again because I almost lost my child and I’ve seen what this program can do to a child in five days,” said York. “Like that little guy. He couldn’t even put his face in the water on Monday. So now he’s swimming independently. Just to watch them it’s the most amazing job in the world.”
One mother agrees, the lessons are important.
“It’s not about whether you have a pool in the backyard,” said Louisa Cosmo. “It’s not about how attentive to detail you are as a parent, life happens in the moment, and it’s just not worth the risk, it’s not worth the risk.”
The Florida Health Department says children under 5 are more likely to drown in a pool than anywhere else.
The team at the Baby Otter Swim School will come to you. You can get more information online, or call 954-704-0080.