EAST BRUNSWICK RECREATION & PARKS KICKS OFF NATIONAL WATER SAFETY MONTH WITH SCIENCE-BASED DROWNING PREVENTION STRATEGIES.
During May's National Water Safety Month, East Brunswick Recreation & Parks advocates for water safety by implementing NDPA’s 5 Layers of Protection.
East Brunswick, NJ (May 1, 2023) – At the start of 2003, National Water Safety Month has highlighted the importance of water and swim safety awareness around the United States through education, public service announcements, governmental proclamations, dealer and business promotions, and easy access to water safety materials. East Brunswick Recreation & Parks has joined this initiative to kick off water safety and drowning prevention strategies this May by using the National Drowning Prevention Alliance’s (NDPA) 5 Layers of Protection and water safety resources.
East Brunswick Recreation & Parks is committed to providing ongoing education for all of its residents and believes everyone can and should be able to enjoy water-based recreation safely.
According to the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA), we lose 10 school buses worth of children to unintentional drownings per year, with the average school bus seating 80 students, resulting in an average of 854 children per year.
“Water safety and childhood drowning prevention are year-round priorities that require year-round attention,” states Adam Katchmarchi, Ph.D., Executive Director, NDPA.
By learning and implementing NDPA’s 5 Layers of Protection, East Brunswick Recreation & Parks aims to help prevent drowning and aquatic-related injuries year-round within our community.
Learn the 5 Layers of Protection:
1. Barriers & Alarms:
It's important to use four-sided fencing with self-closing, self-latching gates, pool safety covers, and alarm systems to help prevent children and unauthorized adults from accessing water unsupervised. This includes looking at other potential bodies of water on or near your property including buckets, ponds, streams, lakes, etc.
2. Supervision:
Stay vigilant and aware of your surroundings with close, constant, and capable adult supervision from a designated water watcher or lifeguard anytime children are in or around water. This includes any situation where you may be swimming with lifeguards on duty. Parents/Guardians/Caregivers should always be watching and monitoring children, even in the presence of a lifeguard.
3. Water Competency:
Every child and adult should be equipped with the skills to protect themselves in water by learning and enhancing their basic water safety skills to reduce the risk of drowning and aquatic-related injuries. Crystal Springs Family Waterpark will be participating in the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson on Thursday, June 22. It’s a free, water-safety awareness event for the whole family. More information will be available in the coming weeks.
4. Life Jackets:
When used appropriately, life jackets protect you when you are not expecting to be in the water, especially around open water. Ensure your life jackets are tested and approved by the United States Coast Guard (USCG).
5. Emergency Preparation
Knowing how to prepare for an emergency with CPR training with rescue breaths, and basic water rescue skills can make the difference between life and death. Have a phone available and ready to call 911.
To learn more about NDPA’s 5 Layers of Protection, you’re invited to follow along throughout the month of May on Crystal Springs’ Facebook page and visit our Township's Water Safety Page by going to www.eastbrunswick.org/watersafety.
About East Brunswick Recreation & Parks
East Brunswick Recreation & Parks’ mission is committed to enriching the quality of life for residents by developing and providing affordable activities, programs, community resources and leisure opportunities.
About National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA)
The mission of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance is “United, we can prevent the tragedy of drowning.” Through education, awareness, and advocacy, NDPA seeks to reduce the incidence of drowning and aquatic injuries in the United States and abroad and to address the single leading cause of death among children ages 1 to 4. To learn more, visit ndpa.org.