National guidelines to ensure baby and toddler safety during swimming lessons are being launched today (13 October 2015) at a parliamentary reception in Westminster.

According to the ASA (Amateur Swimming Association), almost half a million babies and toddlers will take part in swimming lessons this year, continuing the growth trend seen in recent years.

The nationwide rise in baby and toddler swimming lessons has also seen a corresponding reduction in the number of deaths by drowning in children aged 0-4 years, with a drop of 25 per cent since 2010, according to the WAID (Water Accident and Incident Database).

The new Baby and Toddler Swimming Teaching Safety Guidelines have been developed to build on these improvements and help keep children safe in swimming pools. Supported by the ASA, baby and toddler swim school Water Babies, and baby swimming product manufacturer Splash About International, the new guidelines aim to set the standard for British baby swimming lessons (up to age four).

As well as providing safety advice for swimming lessons, the new guidelines give recommendations on using leak-proof neoprene swim nappy covers over a disposable or reusable swim nappy for under 4-year-olds, and other pool environment factors such as temperature. There are also best-practice guidelines for those who offer underwater baby photography services, to help safeguard young children and their parents following a dramatic growth in popularity in recent years.

“Ensuring the safety of babies and toddlers in our pools is paramount. The publication of these Baby and Toddler Swimming Teaching Safety Guidelines means that for the first time there is a national standard for the industry,” said ASA chief executive Adam Paker.

“This will give swimming teachers, pool operators and underwater baby photographers the confidence that they are providing the best services possible, and parents the reassurance that important safeguarding and health and safety practices have been carefully considered.”