The YMCA of Selma and Dallas County is starting a new program to teach water safety to local second and third graders.

The program is just getting off the ground but has already started with students from Ellwood Christian Academy. The YMCA hopes to expand to other local schools in the near future.

The classes teach children how to be safe around water and what to do if they fall in or getting into trouble while in the water.

The class could make the difference between life and death, and the YMCA should be applauded for opening up its pool free of charge.

Not including boating incidents, about 10 people die from drowning every day in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control. While drowning is a risk for every age group, National Safety Council statistics point to drowning being the No. 1 cause of death for children ages 1 to 4.

While this class is obviously older than that, it still gives these elementary school students the skills to save themselves should they fall into a body of water.

So many people in the community have memories of learning to swim at the old YMCAs. This is just a natural progression of that same idea, giving the current generation the same chance.

For more about the water safety program, call the YMCA of Selma and Dallas County at (334) 874-9622.