Home > Summer Safety Promotion

Free Swim Lessons in Columbus this Summer
American Red Cross wants everyone to know how to swim and stay safe around the water.

Kroger, with the support of Clorox and the American Red Cross of Greater Columbus, is partnering with Columbus Recreation and Parks this summer to promote the importance of summer safety by providing residents with free access to swim lessons at Columbus Recreation and Parks aquatics facilities.

Beginning June 7, residents can pick-up Columbus Recreation and Parks Leisure Card applications, along with swim lesson and summer safety information, at 26 Columbus-area Kroger Pharmacies. Only these completed applications can be turned into a Columbus Recreation facility for a free summer Leisure Card, compliments of Kroger and Clorox, and with it, free swim lessons taught by swim instructors trained by the American Red Cross.  

In addition, Red Cross volunteers will staff information tables at eight Kroger Pharmacy locations during two weekends in June to distribute swim lesson information and encourage visitors to engage is simple, summer safety tips. Shoppers are encouraged to stop by participating Kroger locations (listed below) to talk with a Red Cross representative, get your swim lesson information and have some fun with your favorite radio station.  

 QUESTIONS?

About the summer promotion with Kroger and Columbus Rec.:

Columbus Recreation
& Parks - John Gloyd

(614) 645-0156

The American Red Cross of Greater Columbus

(614) 253-2740, ext. 2477 

The Kroger Co.
(614) 898-3619

About Red Cross Learn-to-Swim lessons

The American Red Cross
of Greater Columbus
(614) 253-2740, ext. 2230 

Click anywhere on this paragraph, and you will see a list of private and public aquatics facilities that offer Red Cross Learn-to-Swim lessons.
These facilities do not accept Leisure Card applications and set their own fee and lesson schedules. Proof of residency might apply. Be sure to check with each individual facility about their programs. 

Simple Summer Safety Tips

•  Never leave small children unattended near water – not even the bathtub – not even for a moment! Adults should practice “reach supervision,” which means to always be within arm’s length when a child is near water in case of emergency.

•  Keep lifesaving gear handy. Always have on hand a lifejacket, rope, pole or other object that can be thrown to a person in trouble. Remember to have a first aid kit, cordless phone and emergency contact information by the pool.
 
•  Know when it’s too dangerous. If you, or someone you are swimming with, appear to be too cold, too far from safety, been exposed to too much sun, or had too much strenuous activity, it is time to head for shore or signal for help

 •  Eliminate temptation. Backyard pools should have self-closing, self-latching gates that remain locked when the pool is not being used. Kiddie pools should be emptied and toys removed immediately after use. Empty water pails and buckets so small children cannot fall in and drown.

•  Know what you’re getting into. Check local tides, current and other condition which could be dangerous before entering open bodies of water.

•  Learn Red Cross first aid and CPR so that you can act in an emergency.

American Red Cross of Greater Columbus is dedicated to helping make families and communities safer at home and around the world. Sustained by over 600 volunteers, the Red Cross provides assistance to more than 500 families each year after home fires and other disasters strike. Last year the organization trained and educated more than 97,000 area residents in vital lifesaving skills like first aid, CPR and how to prepare for emergencies. The Red Cross also sent more than 800 emergency messages between members of the military and their families. The community transportation program provides rides to medical appointments for seniors and individuals with disabilities, logging more than 19,600 trips last year. All these programs and more are made possible by the donations of time and money from the greater Columbus community.

95 E. Broad Street | Columbus , OH 43205 | columbus.redcross.org