parks
San Antonio paramedic urges water safety as summer swimming season heats up
By Madalynn Lambert, Santiago Esparza at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· June 24, 2026
· 2 min read
Hot summer days bring kids to pools, rivers and lakes, but those same waters can turn dangerous in seconds, especially for inexperienced swimmers.“Most of the time when we hear a drowning call come in, it’s for the little ones. It’s for your toddlers. It’s your babies,” said Haley Hawkins, a para...
Key takeaway It’s your babies,” said Haley Hawkins, a paramedic with Arcadian Ambulance.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
As San Antonio 's summer swimming season gets underway, the city's Parks and Recreation Department is taking a proactive step by offering free swim lessons, a move that could help mitigate the risk of drowning, particularly among young children. The fact that drowning is a leading cause of accidental death for children under five in Texas underscores the need for such initiatives. Last summer's tragic incidents at a neighborhood pool serve as a stark reminder of the importance of water safety. By designating a "water watcher" and ensuring that weak swimmers and toddlers wear life jackets, families can significantly reduce the risk of accidents. The availability of free swim lessons is a valuable resource for San Antonio residents, and it is crucial that families take advantage of this opportunity to learn water safety skills and prevent tragedies from occurring.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: parks ·
Published: June 24, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Hot summer days bring kids to pools, rivers and lakes, but those same waters can turn dangerous in seconds, especially for inexperienced swimmers.“Most of the time when we hear a drowning call come in, it’s for the little ones. It’s for your toddlers. It’s your babies,” said Haley Hawkins, a para...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 24, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Madalynn Lambert, Santiago Esparza at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more parks coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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