What's The Best Age To Recommended For Kids To Start Swimming Lessons?

The American Academy of Pediatrics has updated their advice on water safety.

The AAP says that by starting swim lessons for your kids at age 1, you are reducing your child's risk of drowning.

Nearly 1,000 drowning deaths happen in the U.S. each year, and drowning is a leading cause of death in children.

The two major things to teach kids are water safety and basic water skills.

An AAP author told CBS News that parents shouldn't just think of pools and big open bodies of water, but also bathtubs, toilets and buckets.

Kids age 0-4 are at the highest risk for drowning-related accidents since they don't have the skills to supervise themselves or anticipate danger.

Other tips from the AAP to prevent drowning include:

Parents should never leave children alone or in the care of another child while in or near bathtubs, pools, spas, or other open water.
Adults should empty water from buckets and other containers immediately after use — even a small amount of water can be hazardous for a young child.
Never leave young children alone in the bathroom. Toilet locks can prevent drowning of toddlers.
Even with older children and better swimmers, the supervising adult should focus on the child and not get distracted with other activities.