No one knows water safety like Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps!
The gold medalist is teaming up with the PAW Patrol pups to teach kids about staying safe this summer with a water safety program, created in partnership with the Michael Phelps Foundation. Phelps, his son Boomer, and several PAW Patrol characters star in a PSA that explains the “ABCs and 123s of Swim Safety,” which families should follow to stay smart while swimming.
The ABCs for adults are:
A. Adult Supervision — Always be within arm’s distance of kids.
B. Barriers — All pools should have a barrier for entry and a self-latching gate.
C. Classes — Parents should take CPR and swimming classes to feel confident in the water.
The 123s of swim safety for kids are:
1. Never swim alone. Ask a grownup if you want to jump in.
2. Know your surroundings. Be aware of where the shallow and deep end are located.
3. Take swimming classes. Learn basic swimming skills like floating and strokes before getting in the pool.
The PSA will be featured on Nickelodeon channels, as well as Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. linear channels and their complementary social media platforms.
Nickelodeon has also partnered with the Michael Phelps Foundation to create an interactive PAW Patrol Swim Safety toolkit, which includes printable activities that teach and reinforce the importance of water safety. Parents can access it here.
Phelps serves as the PAW Patrol Safety First! Global Water Safety Ambassador. “Water Safety has been a priority in my family since I was a child as my mom was adamant that my sisters and I learn to swim for safety purposes. The statistics around accidental drowning are alarming and we want to help educate and encourage families with a few basic tips in a fun and informative way. We want all kids to know the 123s of water safety — starting with never going to the water alone — and thanks to the support of the Michael Phelps Foundation, Nickelodeon and PAW Patrol, we can bring these important messages to the world with the help of the PAW Patrol pups and a fun, catchy song for families to sing along,” Phelps said in a statement.
