As we continue into summer, local agencies are reminding Georgians of the importance of water safety. Each year, more than 200 Georgians drown while swimming, boating, playing near water or even taking baths. Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death for children 1 to 4 years of age, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health. The state’s water-safety initiative, SPLASH, aims to greatly reduce the number of these deaths and injuries.
SPLASH encourages citizens to follow these tips when enjoying beaches, pools, lakes, rivers and other bodies of water:
- Supervision – Designate an adult to watch children at all times. Do not assume someone else is watching.
- Prevention – Wear personal flotation devices (PFD or life jacket), install fencing around pools, and use drain covers in hot tubs and pools.
- Life jackets save lives – Wear them and be sure your children do.
- Arm’s Length – Adults should be arm’s length to children in water, and safety tools such as hooks should be nearby at all times.
- Swim Lessons – Knowing how to swim greatly reduces the chance of drowning. Classes are often available through the Red Cross or YMCA.
- Have a Water Safety Plan – Know what to do during a water emergency.
The campaign includes bilingual brochures, boat checks by law enforcement officers, public service announcements and videos, and social media messaging. The DNR is in the process of adding “loaner boards” with PFDs at public boat ramps and swimming areas, and these locations are being added to the Georgia Outdoors app as they are put into service.
Initially launched by Georgia's First Lady Sandra Deal and her Children's Cabinet in 2015, the SPLASH campaign was re-launched in 2017 and currently has a number of public and private partners, including the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Georgia Emergency Management Agency, Georgia Department of Public Health, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, Georgia Power, Shepherd Center and others.
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