DCF Offers Parents Tips For a Safe Holiday Weekend Around Water

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.
Bookmark and Share

Press release header

For Immediate Release: July 2, 2015

DCF Offers Parents Tips For a Safe Holiday Weekend Around Water
Summer resources and information available to families at MyFLFamilies.com

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) is reminding parents to take extra precautions to keep their children safe during the busy holiday weekend.

“As we head into the holiday we have a lot to celebrate, but we can’t forget the importance of safety when it comes to our youngest family members,” DCF Deputy Secretary David Fairbanks said. “Drowning remains a leading cause of death for children in our communities. You can never be too careful around water.”

In Florida, 41 children have died so far this year from drowning. Of those who have tragically passed away, 68 percent were under the age of three. These deaths are 100 percent preventable. There should always be a responsible adult present when a child is engaging in water activities.

We urge parents and caregivers to keep “Eyes on the Kids” at all times when children have access to water. Lengthy conversations, texting and phone calls create distractions that should be avoided while children are swimming or near water. A responsible adult should be designated as a “Water Watcher” at all times.

Often times a child slips away undetected in family pool when several adults are present. Supervision, pool barriers and emergency preparedness, such as learning CPR, are crucially important.

High resolution images, two drowning prevention PSAs and additional resources for media are available for distribution by visiting www.myflfamilies.com/watersafety.

Contact: Michelle Glady, DCF Press Secretary, (850) 717-4450

 ###