Did you know drowning is leading cause of accidental death in children ages 1-4 years old in the United States as recognized by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)? 

According to the CDC, “each year in the United States, there are an estimated: 3,690 fatal drownings and 8,080 nonfatal drownings.” These are devastating statistics for something that is 100% preventable.

Participation in formal swim lessons results in an 88% reduction in the risk of drowning for children ages 1 to 4.

Drowning deaths in Tarrant County are also consistently at the top of the charts for the State of Texas.

But...did you know...teaching swim lessons in an outdoor residential pool in the City of Fort Worth is a violation of the Home Occupation ordinance?

While swim lessons and survival swim programs have existed in residential areas of Fort Worth for years without an issue (because there were no complaints), recent and consistent complaints by one Fort Worth resident have exposed the short comings of the Home Occupation ordinance. 

Now the decision lies in the hands of our Mayor and City Council Members. We must encourage our City Council members to VOTE to make the necessary changes to the Home Occupation ordinance to ALLOW for highly trained and certified instructors to teach swim lessons and survival swim lessons in residential areas.

By allowing swim programs to operate in residential areas, we can significantly increase access to lessons, creating a better opportunity to change the statistics. The change will also provide more diverse programming, which in turn, will allow families to choose the program type, lesson structure and program cost that is best for them.

We must help Fort Worth City officials realize access provides opportunity and opportunity has the ability to change statistics and impact thousands of lives. Please sign the petition. Please contact your local council person. Please contact our Mayor. 

Thank you for your support in favor of ALLOWING for swim lessons in residential neighborhoods in Fort Worth. Together, we can make sure “Not One More Child Drowns!”