FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 30, 2009

CONTACT: 609-633-8507 Kate Bernyk

DCF Launches “Not Even For a Second” Pool and Water Safety Campaign
New Jersey partners with YMCA, other agencies to spread lifesaving message

RED BANK – Department of Children and Families (DCF) Commissioner Kimberly Ricketts announced today at The Community YMCA’s Red Bank Family Health and Fitness Center the launch of New Jersey’s “Not Even for a Second” public awareness campaign, which urges parents and caretakers to never leave children unattended near water and to child-proof backyard swimming pools.

A child can drown in just a few inches of water and within seconds, often without any splashing or screaming. Last year, in just one month’s time – August 2008 – five children died and one child was rescued after nearly drowning. In 2009, already four children have died from similar tragedies.

“We hope that this campaign will remind parents and caregivers that a tragic drowning can occur in a manner of seconds,” Governor Jon S. Corzine said. “We want to stress the need to be vigilant with children around water, particularly during these hot, summer days when families are at the shore and enjoying local and backyard swimming pools.”

“Summer should be a fun time for families. But caregivers must be on constant watch with children around water,” Commissioner Ricketts said. “If someone isn’t paying close attention, instead of making summer memories to last a lifetime – you have lost a life.”

DCF is partnering this summer with several community organizations to help spread the message and reach as many families as possible with posters, brochures and strip cards in both English and Spanish. The department has mailed packages of materials and shared Web site links to licensed child care centers, Family Success Centers, YMCAs and YWCAs, members of the Northeast Spa and Pool Association (NESPA), the Girl Scout Councils of New Jersey, parent-teacher associations, the New Jersey League of Municipalities and New Jersey 2-1-1.

“The healthy development and safety of all children is The Community YMCA’s highest priority, and we are prepared to do all we can to assist parents by providing quality swim instruction and safety skills in and near water prior to the summer season,” Gary Laermer, president and chief executive officer of The Community YMCA, said. “Knowing basic water safety tips to use at the pool or beach can mean a fun-filled and worry-free summer for all.”

“We are pleased to join DCF in announcing this important public safety campaign and applaud them for bringing awareness to such an essential summer safety issue,” said Susan Brooks, chief executive officer of the Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey. “Teaching children water safety and how to swim at an early age should be a key component to every family’s summer activities. The Girl Scout Councils of New Jersey offer many programs throughout the year that teach girls and their families how to combine water safety and fun from an early age.”

According to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, drowning is the second leading cause of death for children under 14. Among children ages 1 to 4, most drownings occur in residential swimming pools and in most cases those children had been in the care of their parents and out of sight for less than five minutes.

The “Not Even for a Minute” campaign stresses the following water safety tips for parents:

• Always have an ADULT supervising young swimmers. Never leave a child alone around water. Children are drawn to it, and very young children can drown in just one inch of water. 

• Flotation devices or inflatable toys are not substitutes for supervision. Teach children to swim at an early age. 

• Obey all posted or verbal rules, warning signs and other safety signs. Don’t mix alcohol and supervision of children. 

• Always drain and store plastic or blow-up wading pools in an upright position. Enclose pools completely with a self-locking, self-closing fence, and do not leave furniture around that children can use to climb over the fence. You can contact the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs for more information regarding pool construction and residential codes: www.nj.gov/dca. 

• Be sure to remove pool covers completely to reduce the risk of children getting caught underneath.

 "The recreational water environment industry has long been a supporter of efforts like DCF’s campaign and welcomes the opportunity to help in this important effort,” said Lawrence S. Caniglia, executive director of NESPA. “While our industry creates, manufactures and installs so many different safety devices for a safe and enjoyable swimming experience, it all begins with the message embodied in the ‘Not Even for a Second’ campaign – never leave a child unattended around water.” NESPA is a trade organization for swimming pool builders and retailers that distributes safety information to its members and consumers every year. For more information available to pool owners, visit their Web site at:  http://nespapool.org/safety.html.

In addition to these efforts underway, DCF is seeking community support to spread this important message. Community organizations and groups – such as churches, neighborhood associations, local businesses, municipalities, and school groups – are urged to help the state raise awareness and prevent tragedies this summer.

If you or your organization is interested in helping DCF spread the message of pool and water safety this summer, please contact the Office of Communications at 609-292-0422 and visit our Web site at: http://www.nj.gov/dcf/safety/campaigns/water.html. 

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