by Aundrea Cline-Thomas
LEBANON, Tenn. - The recent record-breaking heat has sent many people to Nashville-area pools. Officials have advised to keep safety in mind when in or around the water.
Lines formed at the Jimmy Floyd Family Center in Lebanon before the gates even opened. The outdoor pool opened Saturday, just in time for the holiday weekend.
"We've had about fifty memberships already just in the past two or three days," Center spokesperson Erin Sawyer said. "And people keep coming in."
While families are ready for a little fun in the sun, the staff is just as prepared to keep patrons safe.
"A lot of times I see parents just ignore their kids," Sawyer said. "They decide to lay out and just not pay attention to their kids. They expect it to stay up to the lifeguards."
Sandy Boothe is keeping a close eye on her granddaughters.
"About every few minutes I need to see their bright swim suits," she said.
In just seconds a game or good time can turn dangerous.
"A lot of kids (are) trying to hold their breath underwater for as long as they can. If they hold their breath for longer than they should they can black out," Sawyer explained about the dangerous game. "(They could) drown and not even realize it."
According to Metro's Health Department, drownings are the leading cause of death for children between one and four years old.
The Red Cross advises that no one ever swim alone, parents stay within arms reach of young children and never leave them unattended.
Julia Jackson had a talk with her grand kids before coming to the pool.
She told them, "You be polite, no rough housing in the water, that kind of stuff."
It's all to make this experience worth the wait.
Email: ACline-Thomas@newschannel5.com
