Use the ABCs of Water Safety to Stay Safe In and Around Water

For release: Tuesday, April 7, 2011
Contact: Drowning Prevention Coalition of Palm Beach County (561) 616-7068 or (561) 723-3650

The two drowning incidents that have occurred within the last week should be a wake-up call for parents, caregivers, pool owners and vacationers to make drowning prevention a top priority.  The Drowning Prevention Coalition (DPC) of Palm Beach County wants everyone to use the following ABCs of water safety to stay safe in and around water.

A – ADULT SUPERVISION

• Whenever infants and toddlers are in or around water, an adult should be within an arm’s length, providing visual and touch supervision.
• In addition to parental supervision, designate an adult WATER WATCHER (using a distinguishable item such as a lanyard or funny hat) for 15 minutes whose sole responsibility is to watch the pool area and not read, talk on the phone or have outside distractions. After the 15 minutes conclude, hand over the distinguishable item to another adult for 15 minutes and so forth.  Ensure that the “Water Watcher” is a sober adult who knows CPR and has basic swimming skills.
• Do not use flotation devices as a substitute for supervision. “Water wings” or “floaties,” inflatable water rings, and other pool toys are NOT safety devices. Only U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets are designed and tested for safety.

B – BARRIERS and BEACH SAFETY

• Have a properly working physical barrier around, on or in the pool itself (i.e. isolation fence, pool safety cover, pool alarm) that meets code requirements.  
• Have window and door alarms that sound when breached.
• Always swim at a lifeguarded beach, and pay attention to the beach flags.

C – CLASSES

• Take a water safety course at a local aquatic facility to learn the skills necessary to survive in the water.
• Take CPR classes.

The DPC suggests that everyone uses the ABCs of water safety to stay safe in and around water, but it is up to each individual to make sure a drowning incident does not happen. For more information on water safety lessons and water safety/drowning prevention education, please visit the DPC website at www.pbcgov.org/dpc or call 561-616-7068.