MEDIA ADVISORY
SAN DIEGO, California, MAY 20, 2020: With Memorial Day weekend quickly approaching, Prevent Drowning Foundation of San Diego is issuing a safety warning due to San Diego County kids and families having nowhere safe to swim this weekend. Community pools are closed due to COVID-19 and as we head into this holiday weekend, families and kids will be looking for options outside of the house to cool off.
According to Buc Buchanan, PDFSanDiego President, “At this moment, there are over 81 community pools CLOSED across San Diego County alone. The only water activity available in Southern California is getting into the ocean. It’s important that family choices coincide with their swimming ability. Right now, beaches and bays are the only place for kids to swim, these areas are much more dangerous than pools. If you don’t know how to swim, don’t head to the beach!”
The obvious solution is for San Diego to open all community pools to ensure the safety of kids who are new swimmers and do not have the skills to swim in the ocean. These pools provide the safest swimming opportunity. Please continue to advocate and protect the kids in our community. *CDC guidance link
Families participating in water activities this weekend, remember to designate a WATER WATCHER. Tags can be picked up at any local San Diego County Fire Station.
As a Water Watcher, I will…
- Keep constant watch on all children in and around the water
- Not be distracted by electronic devices or socializing
- Only be relieved from duty by another adult Water Watcher
Drowning is a leading cause of accidental death for children in our county. Children can drown quickly and silently, in a matter of seconds. Drowning is preventable!
About us: The mission of the Prevent Drowning Foundation of San Diego is to save lives by funding, coordinating and promoting swim lessons for underserved youth and providing aquatic safety education for all. Drowning is preventable and it is our vision to teach every child in San Diego how to swim.
#watersafetymonth #preventdrowningSD #safetywarning
