Florida State Representative Chip LaMarca (R – Lighthouse Point) explains that since March 2020 there has been an increase in drownings since the stay-at-home order was placed during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Drowning is silent and happens in seconds. It can happen in the few minutes it takes you to answer a phone call, or run inside for a towel.
Learn the steps you can take to secure your pool and protect your children:
- Supervision– A responsible person, usually an adult, is always actively watching when a child is in, on or around the water.
- Barriers– A child should never be able to enter the pool area unaccompanied. Barriers (gates, fences, walls, doors, windows) physically block a child from accessing the pool.
- Emergency Preparedness- In an emergency, it is critical to have a phone nearby to immediately call 911. Also, formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88%. It’s never too late to learn to swim, make it a family activity and learn together.
For more resources and where to find swimming lessons, CLICK HERE.
