As the summer heat persists and the allure of a cooling dip in the pool remains strong, Queen Creek authorities are ramping up efforts to remind the community about water safety. August is being heralded as Drowning Impact Awareness Month, a critical nod to an ongoing public safety issue as declared during the upcoming Queen Creek Town Council meeting tomorrow.
Drowning incidents remain a harrowing concern for Maricopa and Pinal counties, with the Children's Safety Zone reporting 133 water-related incidents in 2023, including 57 tragic fatalities of which 12 were pediatric drownings. According to a statement obtained by Queen Creek Fire and Medical Department's (QCFMD), drownings, especially among children five and younger, rank as a top cause of injury-related deaths within Arizona.
With such statistics illuminating the grim reality, QCFMD implores residents to adhere to the ABCDs of water safety, which include:
- Active adult supervision
- Barriers to prevent unsupervised access to water
- Classes in CPR for adults and swim lessons for children
- Devices like properly fitted life jackets and U.S. Coast Guard-approved flotation devices around water
Moreover, QCFMD supplements these guidelines with crucial safety tips, stressing the urgency to look in the pool first, as losing precious seconds in a rescue effort can mean the difference between life and death. They counter the common misconception that drowning is accompanied by screams or splashes with a stark reminder: drowning is silent.
In the event of a water emergency, the department advises to yell for help and pull the person out of the water, promptly call 9-1-1, and commence CPR if trained—or follow instructions from the operator until help arrives. Residents can find more safety tips and information about QCFMD initiatives by visiting their website or following their social media outlets, as outlined in a recent release by Constance Halonen-Wilson, Communications & Marketing Manager, with contact details available for further inquiries.
