In an effort to make the community more aware of water and pool safety, the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District held a water day at the Prewett Family Water Park in Antioch.
“The pool safety event came about after losing 13-kids over a 6-year period. 9 of them were in this area (East County) with six being in Antioch. So we wanted to do something to cut down on drownings and make a big wide campaign. We want to educate folks and get the word out. We are able to show our headline crew, meet them, educate them with handouts and flyers. We want to get the word out on pool safety,” explained Greg Kennedy, of the pool safety council for ConFire.
Kennedy also offered advice to those with a pool or who frequent water.
“The best advice for pool safety is be very diligent with your child, put up the safety gate, don’t take your eyes off them for a minute while having a designated life guard,” explained Kennedy. “So many times in my career, the parents always say I took my eyes off them for a second when it really was minutes. But I am proud to say we have saved 3 children this year and 9 over the years. They were in full arrest and our fire crews got there within 2-minutes and resuscitated and REACH transported them to children and they are all doing fine.”
Here are a few photos of yesterdays event
For more information on this program, contact the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District
