Swim Safety: Suffolk Officials Spread Water Awareness

NORTH BABYLON, NY — Summer has been host to a high number of drowning deaths and multiple incindents where children and adults were hospitalized after being pulled from pools unconscious.

On July 5, a Brooklyn man died in a Wyandanch pool. Before that, a toddler died from drowning in an Islandia pool. There's also been close calls, including a toddler hospitalized after being pulled unresponsive from a Central Islip pool and an adult male found unconscious in a North Babylon pool.

With residential pool drownings on the rise, Suffolk County even sent out an alert on smartphones Tuesday, linking to water and pool safety tips.

The Town of Babylon also got on board with spreading pool safety awareness and partnered with End Drowning Now, an organization dedicated to water safety, during a press conference at North Babylon's Phelps Lane Pool to spread water safety awareness.

Babylon Town Councilman Terence McSweeney and EDN founder Bobby Hazen spearheaded the event.

"Drowning is a leading cause of death for children between the ages of one and four," said McSweeney. "As a community, we must prioritize education and safety measures to protect our youngest and most vulnerable residents. This initiative is about saving lives and ensuring that our children can enjoy the water safely this summer."

Hazen demonstrated drowning-prevention techniques, offered practical tips to parents and caregivers shared the following statistics:

• Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death among children aged 1-4.
• Most child drownings occur in home swimming pools.
• It only takes a few seconds and a small amount of water for a child to drown.
• Constant supervision, the use of barriers around pools and learning CPR can significantly reduce the risk of drowning.

A slew of other Suffolk Officials attended, including Babylon Town Clerk Gerry Compitello, Parks Commissioner Eva Rodriguez, NYS Assemblyman Michael Durso, Suffolk County Legislator, Minority Leader Jason Richberg, Suffolk County Undersheriff John Becker and Suffolk County Legislator Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey.

"We all have a role to play in preventing tragedies. Let's work together to ensure a safe and enjoyable summer for everyone," said McSweeney.

The American Red Cross recommends the following water safety tips:

• Teach children to always ask permission to go near water.
• Children, inexperienced swimmers and all boaters should wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets.
• Take specific precautions for the water environment you are in, such as:
• Fence pools and spas with adequate barriers, including four-sided fencing that separates the water from the house.
• Be a “water watcher” – provide close and constant attention to children you are supervising; avoid distractions including cell phones.
• Even if lifeguards are present, you (or another responsible adult) should stay with your children.

Suffolk County provides CRP lessons to those interested; to schedule, contact 631-852-5080 for additional information.