Making a Splash #2

May marks the season when aquatic usage is on the rise. As we gear up for the spring and into the summer months many people will be hanging by the pool, lake, or beach!

Unfortunately, during this time we also see a rise in aquatic incidences.

According to the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, around 4,000 fatal drowning accidents happen every year (about 11 every day) and 8,000 non-fatal incidences all just in the United States!

About 88% of the time these happen with an adult present, while 70% of drowning incidences happen during non-swimming times.

Some Facts about Drowning Awareness:

• Drowning is the #1 preventable death among children 1-4 years of age.
• Keeping children safe from drowning is a team effort.
• Misinformation about floatation devices increase the risks of drowning, there is no floatation device that is guarantied to prevent drowning, when children use these devices and parents take their eyes off the water (assuming safety) drowning incidences increase!
• "I don't have to watch the water if a lifeguard is present" is a common phrase heard at aquatic facilities all over the country. The truth is, it is impossible for lifeguards to see the whole pool all at the same time, they are trained to scan the area. It is important for parents and family members to watch their children and alert a lifeguard to danger if it is not recognized right away.
• Drowning is silent. Most drownings don't cause much noise and can happen in as fast as 30 seconds!
• Drowning can happen anywhere. Many accidental drownings happen when you aren't thinking about pools and beaches. Many happen during bath time, in shallow water (splash pads) or when a child has unwanted access to water sources.
• Education is important. Knowing the risks, knowing the facts, along with water safety lessons for both children and adults is a proven method to decreasing drowning incidences.

Here at Durfee Aquatics, we are striving to be a reliable and consistent source for water safety. We understand the need to provide a safe environment to our children and families. and we will do this by doing the following:

• We promise to continue educating our staff to be better suited for drowning incidences. Through weekly memos and in service talks, we plan to make sure that water safety is on the forefront of our high school instructors and lifeguards.
• We promise to continue training our instructors in water safety skills that they can pass on to children and adults alike.
• We promise that when this month is over we will continue to educate water safety to our community in the Fall River and Greater Fall River Area.
• We promise to have our door open to the community when issues or concerns arise and we will always strive to achieve our best and adjust when necessary.

Flick and Float is our first event open to our Durfee Aquatics family. On Friday May 26th we will be showing a movie, starting at 5:30 PM. We will provide noodles for children to use and please feel free to bring in personal floatation devices (no tube floats or large floats will be allowed). There will be an area set aside that is dry that kids can lay out a towel and watch from the pool deck.

In keeping with the theme of Water Safety Month, we will have an increase of guards, both on deck and in the water and underwater lighting (pool lights will remain on, but softly dimmed).

Event is invite only (use the link below or in the picture) and admission is $1.00 per attendee.

When: May 26th

Where: Durfee Aquatics

How: Invite link only! Please register using this link! $1.00 per attendee

Did you know that there is an app where you can get the most up to date notifications AND access you parent portal AND register for classes and events AND much more?

Download "Poliseno Family Aquatics" on your app store to have access to all of the above and we are releasing new features when we can, always looking for ideas to add! Click the icon below to download to your respective smart device.

Apple App Store

Google Play Store