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Statistics on toddler drownings begin to rise each May, as weather warms up and doors are left open to let in cool breezes. May is being designated as National Water Safety Month by the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) and other water safety organizations, but the NDPA wants to get the word out that drownings, especially of young children, don’t just happen in warm weather. Drownings take place every month of every year, even during the winter. The NDPA’s mantra is “drowning IS preventable,” and the group supports layers of protection, including barriers around pools and swim lessons, year-round.
The initiative to dedicate May as National Water Safety Month is being supported by many leading national organizations with public service announcements and legislative efforts to raise awareness and increase education about the risk of drowning and effective prevention strategies to reduce that risk.
Drowning is the second leading cause of death to children ages 1-14 in the U.S. The summer months usually experience a peak in drowning deaths and near-drownings due to the prevalence of water-related activities. However, the risk of drowning is not absent in the winter months. Pool owners and parents of young children must always be vigilant about the ever-present risk of drowning.
The NDPA invites you to participate in your local community by first, becoming aware of drowning issues in your own community and then to make changes to help reduce the risk of drowning. If you are a pool owner, add Layers of Protection around your aquatic environment to help reduce the risk of drowning. If you are a parent of young children, learn the facts about childhood drowning, become aware of the real risks your children face, and engage Layers of Protections to reduce the risk of drowning to your children.
Many national organizations are actively participating in awareness campaigns, community education programming, and outreach activities during the month of May, to promote water safety and drowning prevention across the country. If you would like to organize an activity to support May as National Water Safety Month, visit the following Alliance organizations to view and download materials to help your mission.
www.NDPA.org
www.APSP.org
www.DrowningPreventionFoundation.us
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