Wilton Fire, Police, Dive Rescue Team Launch 'April POOLS Day' Drowning Awareness Initiative

WILTON, CT — The Wilton Fire Department, Police Department and Dive Rescue Team have joined forces to launch a water safety initiative by declaring April 30, "April POOLS Day."

"We are attempting to bring a keener situational awareness to water safety for the Town," Wilton Fire Chief Ronald E. Kanterman said in a statement. "Although the weather is not cooperating, spring and summer are upon us and people will turn to water activities rather soon. We are attempting to bring a keener situational awareness to water safety for the Town."

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Fire Chief Kanterman released the following safety information to help prevent drowning:

Why are we doing this?

1. It’s part and parcel to our overall “Community Risk Reduction” plan.
2. We have a lot of privately owned pools in Town along with public pools and swimming areas.
3. All of the drown prevention programs we have studied and researched had a child’s name on it. We’re naming ours “The Wilton Drown Prevention Program.”
4. Being pro-active with programs such as these creates a well informed and safer Town.

Some introductory facts:

1. We have 940 in-ground privately owned pools in Town.
2. Home pool drowning is a leading cause of death for children younger than 5.
3. Children are out of sight less than 5 minutes and under the care of one or both parents at the time of many home pool drownings which have occurred throughout the nation.

Things to think about as you open your pool for the season:

1. Store and use pool chemicals safely.
2. Check your fence and insure the gate closes and latches properly.
3. Check house door alarms and floating pool alarms for proper operation.
4. Learn how to safely respond to water emergencies (CPR, First Aid, Lifeguarding, Basic Water Rescue) by taking a class.
5. Enroll your non-swimmers in a swimming class. No one is drown-proof and remember that no one can learn how to swim in 2 or 3 lessons.
6. Make sure your hot tub is covered securely when not in use.

For more information on water safety and drown prevention, go to:

http://www.redcross.org/get-help/prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/water-safety

http://www.preventdrownings.org/drowning/