Since May, the Seminole County Fire Department in partnership with the Gunner Martin Foundation and Seminole County Government have distributed over 150 free door alarms to Seminole County residents to help prevent pediatric drownings. The program’s launch was a huge success, as alarms were out of stock within two weeks.
Due to the community’s positive response and residents’ need for the alarms, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office Community Foundation generously donated $1,500 to the Gunner Martin Foundation to purchase an additional 188 alarms and the Department of Children & Families (DCF) donated 50 additional alarms. They will be available for pickup now at the following Seminole County Libraries:
Central Branch Library, 215 N. Oxford Rd, Casselberry, FL 32707- East Branch Library, 310 N Division St, Oviedo, FL 32765
- Northwest Branch, 580 Green Way Blvd, Lake Mary, FL 32746
*One per household and while supplies last. If supplies run out, residents can visit Seminole County online to be alerted when more alarms come in.
Door alarms are just one of the layers of protection to prevent pool drownings, in addition to adult supervision, pool fences, swim lessons, and CPR.
“The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office Community Foundation is committed to helping prevent pediatric drownings in our community and we are happy to partner on this important and lifesaving outreach with the Seminole County Fire Department and the Gunner Martin Foundation,” said Marissa Cellini, Executive Director of the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office Community Foundation. “Drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death for children ages one to four in Florida. The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office and its partners are invested in drowning prevention education and outreach.” Pool/door alarms may be installed on doors leading to the pool area of a home, alerting parents/caregivers with an audible loud alarm when outside doors are opened.
Two-year-old Gunner Martin drowned in a family pool on April 6, 2016, and his father Chris Martin was inspired to become a Seminole County Fire Department firefighter because of the tragic incident. He and his wife Christina established the Gunner Martin Foundation in his honor to provide awareness and educational tools on water safety as well as help fund swim lessons for children with families in financial need.
“The Seminole County Fire Department and the Gunner Martin Foundation are extremely thankful for the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office Community Foundation partnership as our agencies are all committed to working with residents and community partners to prevent pediatric drownings,” said Fire Chief Matt Kinley of the Seminole County Fire Department. “Pediatric drowning calls are tragic accidents, and our first responders are invested and duty-bound to help our community avoid them.”
Find drowning prevention resources and learn more online.
