These kids are sure to make a splash.
That's why Rose Hilliard takes the time to take her great-grandchildren to their favorite summer spot.
"This is their first day out to the pool so this is a really treat for them," she said.
She also makes sure to keep an extra eye on them.
"I watch them constantly I make sure that they listen to the life guards," said Hilliard.
She has good reason- about 10 people around the U.S. die every day from an accidental drowning.
Two of those are children 14 or younger.
Learning how to swim can decrease that chance by about 90 percent.
"The biggest mistakes is just getting into the water that's over their heads," said Michael Talerico, Exec. Dir. at the YMCA at Redbud Park in Abilene.
"If their not swimmers and just not paying attention to the depth marker."
Lifeguards from the YMCA are specifically trained to watch Abilene's two public pools.
Although they don't recommend swimming without a lifeguard on duty, its important to at least have someone there to be on the lookout who can take action in case of a drowning swimmer.
"If it's shallow water turn them face up if its possible help to get them out of the water if it's deeper water and you're not a strong swimmer a lot of pools are equipped with the long poles with a hook on the end that you could use that to help pull somebody out to the side," said Talerico.
All it takes is a few seconds.
That's why Hilliard sets strict rules for her three great-grandchildren.
"They have their limitations the little one the five year old she knows she cannot go past the ropes," she said.
Which they've learned to appreciate.
"'Cause she's trying to watch out over me," said 9 year-old Alecks Tutt, one of Hilliard's great-grandchildren.
That's why Rose Hilliard takes the time to take her great-grandchildren to their favorite summer spot.
"This is their first day out to the pool so this is a really treat for them," she said.
She also makes sure to keep an extra eye on them.
"I watch them constantly I make sure that they listen to the life guards," said Hilliard.
She has good reason- about 10 people around the U.S. die every day from an accidental drowning.
Two of those are children 14 or younger.
Learning how to swim can decrease that chance by about 90 percent.
"The biggest mistakes is just getting into the water that's over their heads," said Michael Talerico, Exec. Dir. at the YMCA at Redbud Park in Abilene.
"If their not swimmers and just not paying attention to the depth marker."
Lifeguards from the YMCA are specifically trained to watch Abilene's two public pools.
Although they don't recommend swimming without a lifeguard on duty, its important to at least have someone there to be on the lookout who can take action in case of a drowning swimmer.
"If it's shallow water turn them face up if its possible help to get them out of the water if it's deeper water and you're not a strong swimmer a lot of pools are equipped with the long poles with a hook on the end that you could use that to help pull somebody out to the side," said Talerico.
All it takes is a few seconds.
That's why Hilliard sets strict rules for her three great-grandchildren.
"They have their limitations the little one the five year old she knows she cannot go past the ropes," she said.
Which they've learned to appreciate.
"'Cause she's trying to watch out over me," said 9 year-old Alecks Tutt, one of Hilliard's great-grandchildren.
