Full Notification

Water Safety Month Calls for Constant, Capable Supervision Around Water

Phoenix Children’s, Maricopa Unified Schools & City of Maricopa Fire Team up with Large-scale Effort for National Water Safety Month

PHOENIX, Ariz. (May 13, 2013) – Drowning is a top cause of injury-related death for children across the United States, with more than 1,000 children drowning in 2006 alone, and summertime is a prime time for water recreation. That’s why the month of May is “National Water Safety Month.”

Many of those drownings happen right here in Arizona, a state ranked second in the nation for child drownings. To protect children and help families enjoy their backyard pools safely, Water Watchers at Phoenix Children’s Hospital is partnering with City of Maricopa Fire Department and Maricopa Unified School District, in a multi-level, wide-scale safety push to the community.

The effort will include:
Child education: All City of Maricopa first graders will complete the “Water Safety is for YOU” curriculum, an award-winning drowning prevention program. LINK http://www.phoenixchildrens.com/community/injury-prevention-center/water-safety/for-older-children/water-safety-is-for-you.html
Materials distribution: Drowning prevention materials will be assembled and distributed to 2,000 Maricopa families.

Event: Families are invited to a special “Safe and Healthy Kids Summer Splash” event.
Thursday May 16, from 6 to 7:30 pm, at the Maricopa Unified District Office.
This free event will feature:
CPR refresher lessons, presented by Maricopa Fire.
“Playing it Safe” workshops, allowing parents to develop custom water safety solutions using the latest research and prevention tips from a water safety expert. LINK http://www.phoenixchildrens.com/community/injury-prevention-center/water-safety/for-toddlers-preschoolers/playing-it-safe.html
Interactive booths and giveaways.

As the school year ends, families should talk about and plan their supervision strategy for the backyard pool:

Choose a “Water Watcher,” to provide constant, capable supervision when children have access to the pool.
Only allow an adult who can swim and give CPR can be the Water Watcher.
Make sure the Water Watcher can see the entire pool, and is given regular breaks.
Set a limit in alcohol consumed by the Water Watcher, just as for a designated driver.
Make an announcement when mealtime begins, that the pool area is “closed.” Scan the area carefully before locking the gate, and do a head-count of the children.

For more information about water safety, visit www.phoenixchildrens.com

About Phoenix Children’s Hospital
Phoenix Children’s Hospital, ranked in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Children’s Hospitals, is Arizona’s only licensed children’s hospital, providing world-class inpatient, outpatient, trauma, emergency and urgent care to children and families in Arizona and throughout the Southwest. As one of the largest children’s hospitals in the country with 465 licensed beds, Phoenix Children’s provides care across nearly 50 pediatric specialties. The hospital is poised for continued growth in quality patient care, research and medical education. For more information about the hospital, visit www.phoenixchildrens.com.