The Michael Phelps Foundation promotes water safety

PHOENIX (KSAZ) -- Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps is getting back in the pool, but this time it's not to come out of retirement. The Michael Phelps Foundation is celebrating 10 years of educating the public on water safety.

It's a place Michael Phelps is familiar with--the pool has been a second home to the most decorated athlete in Olympic history, but he knows that's not the case for everyone.

That's why the Michael Phelps Foundation has been working for 10 years to educate the public on water safety.

"For me this is the reason I started swimming," said Michael Phelps. "My mom wanted us in the water for water safety and we fell in love with the sport."

Michael and his wife Nicole have made it their mission to get involved.

"For us we want to have the chance to be able to teach as many kids as we can just to be water safe," said Phelps. "If you look at some of the stats out there, they're kind of scary to see."

In fact, child drownings remain the leading cause of unintentional death for children under the age of 4 and the second leading cause of unintentional death for children under 14.

As new parents of two little boys, those numbers hit close to home for the Phelps family.

"I think one of the scariest things is you turn around for two seconds to check your phone or maybe you're checking on the other kid and something could happen," said Nicole Phelps. "So just being aware and knowing when you're in the water you're paying attention always to whoever is in the water I think is one of our biggest keys for us, especially as parents."

After a brief press conference with partners from Pool Safely, the Peoria Fire Department, the National Drowning Prevention Alliance and others, Phelps got into the water with fellow U.S. Olympian Allison Schmidt to give a lesson to the Boys & Girls Club of Phoenix.

A fun day with a life-saving message.