HOUSTON -- Drownings of children are continuing to occur, and all parents and caregivers are urged to watch children constantly anywhere in the vicinity of water.

Most of the drowningS have been in residential pools, both in-ground and above-ground, and most of the children have been toddlers.

So far in 2009, 95 children age 17 and younger have drowned, according to the count by the Department of Family and Protective Services.

Taking a proactive approach is the Lacey family. Alechia and Mike have 19-month-old twins J.J. and Alexis. Recently, the twins mastered how to hold their breath under water and float to safety in a pool.

"The first couple of weeks they screamed their heads off after that they ran to the instructor and gave kisses and I think they were impressed with themselves what they could do," said Alechia.

The twins are part of a program called Infant Swimming Resource, ISR, which is a self-rescue swimming program for babies and toddlers.

"Should they end up in the pool when they need air or need to rest they roll onto their back and they will float, and they will continue to swim and float until they get to the edge when they can get themselves out or someone gets them out," said ISR certified instructor, Lenie Stroh.

The lessons are for about six weeks and it is a commitment. Everyday for about 10 minutes the kids have a one-on-one session in the pool.

For the Lacey family, they want to put a pool in at their house and now they feel like they have an added layer of protection.

"You read stories about kids who have drowned. While this doesn't allow them to go free in the water it does give them confidence that if you're not looking for a split second you might have some extra time," said dad Mike Lacey.