FORT PIERCE – In an effort to reduce the potential for drowning and near drowning incidents among children, St. Lucie County’s Parks, Recreation and Facilities Department is now offering free Water Safety Presentations to students at local elementary, middle and high schools.
The first presentation will be held for the kindergarten classes at Lakewood Park Elementary School on Wednesday, May 27. Future presentations will be offered this fall.
Research has shown that participation in water safety lessons helps to reduce drowning risks. According to the Centers for Disease Control, drowning is a leading cause of unintentional injury and death world-wide, with the highest rates among children. Statistics show that drowning ranks fifth among leading causes of unintentional death in the United States. One in every five people who die from drowning in the United States are children age 14 and younger. Additionally, research shows that the drowning rate for African American children ages 5-14 is significantly higher than the overall population.
Water safety presentations may be done in large groups in school cafeterias or auditoriums, as well as in smaller classroom settings, and will be scheduled throughout the school year. They will include the following:
- Water safety tips
- Swimming pool rules
- Swimming with a buddy
- Adult supervision
- Safety barriers for home swimming pools
- Coast Guard-approved life jackets
- Available swimming lesson schedules
- Information on CPR training for care givers
For more information or to schedule a presentation, please contact Special Facilities Coordinator Jennifer Anglin at 772-462-1991 or via e-mail atanglinj@stlucieco.org or Aquatics Coordinator Cheyenne Guggeri at 772-462-2560, or via e-mail at guggeric@stlucieco.org.
