Media Contact: Winston Henvey
(972) 213-5330 | Winston.Henvey@redcross.org

DALLAS — During National Water Safety Month, the American Red Cross is encouraging families, caregivers, educators and community partners to help build safer communities by promoting water safety skills and swim education ahead of the busy summer season.

Expanding access to formal water safety and swim education can help communities reduce the risk of drowning.

“Water safety is a shared responsibility, and National Water Safety Month is an important reminder that small actions can help save lives,” said Linda Braddy, CEO, American Red Cross North Texas. “By promoting swim education, active supervision, and water safety awareness, we can help build safer, more prepared, and resilient communities for families this summer.”

Each year, more than 2.5 million people learn to swim through Red Cross lifesaving aquatics programs. These programs incorporate the latest science-based curriculum and industry best practices, helping to keep individuals and families safer while enjoying water activities. Through this work, over the last century, the Red Cross has helped to reduce accidental drownings by nearly 90% nationwide.

“Most drownings happen when the child isn’t even supposed to be near or in the water so preventing unsupervised access to water, providing constant, active adult supervision and knowing how to swim are critical layers of protection to help prevent drowning,” said Connie Harvey, director of Aquatics Centennial and Survival Programs for the Red Cross.

ADDITIONAL WATER SAFETY TIPS

• Nobody should ever swim alone – adults and teens as well as children. Never leave a young child unattended near water, and do not trust a child’s life to another child.
• Always designate a “water watcher” who will keep a close eye and constant attention on children and weaker swimmers in, on and around water until the next water watcher takes over.
• Have young children or inexperienced swimmers wear properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets around water, but do not rely on life jackets alone.
• Reach or throw, don't go! In the event of an emergency, reach or throw an object to the person in trouble and tell them to grab on. Don’t go in! You could be in danger of drowning yourself.
  
  

“We encourage families to educate themselves on safer water habits, to learn to swim and know how to handle emergencies,” said Harvey. “Our aquatic training providers offer swim education and classes for both children and adults. We recommend that you also learn first aid and CPR, so you’ll know what to do until help arrives.”

WHALE TALES FOR CHILDREN –This Red Cross no-cost program is designed to help children from all backgrounds in kindergarten through 5th grade learn vital water safety behaviors without having to be in or near the water.

WHALE Tales are short, engaging and age-appropriate lessons that cover important water safety topics across different environments, such as pools, water parks, oceans, lakes and rivers.

The free downloadable resources include lesson plans, course presentations and engaging materials such as videos and activity sheets and can be accessed at redcross.org/WHALEtales. If you’re a parent or caregiver teaching your own children, visit redcross.org/watersafetyforkids.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS Our Aquatics Centennial Campaign, launched in 2014 to recognize 100 years of Red Cross leadership in swimming and water safety, is active in more than 100 communities across the country.

Through collaboration with local organizations, schools, aquatic facilities and community leaders, the Red Cross Aquatics Centennial Campaign helps expand access to swimming education and water safety resources in communities where drowning risks are higher than the national average.

To date, the campaign has delivered nearly 159,000 sets of swim lessons and certified 6,560 junior lifeguards, lifeguards and Water Safety Instructors®. We’ve also armed nearly 24,000 parents and caregivers with water safety knowledge and/or CPR skills. Learn more at redcross.org/centennialswim.

GET STARTED TODAY Go to redcross.org/watersafety for swim program information and a variety of resources. The Red Cross Swim app can help children and adults learn with kid-friendly videos and activities on mobile devices.

Do your part. Be “water smart.”

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.