Florida loses more children younger than 5 to drowning than any other state. In an effort to curb this statistic, Lake County public and private organizations will host a Water Safety Day at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 6, at the LiveWell Fitness Center (formerly the National Training Center), 1925 Don Wickham Drive, Clermont.
Activities during the three-hour event will include mock water rescues, an infant self-rescue, life-jacket fittings, CPR demonstrations and a one-hour open swim for all attendees. Wristbands will be given out to the first 200 children who watch the various demonstrations.
“Lake County is no exception to water-related tragedies,” said Sean Parks, commissioner for District 2. “We are very pleased with the support we are receiving for this unique event from the local fire rescue and Lake Emergency Medical Services, Lake County Health Department, the Sheriff’s Office, South Lake Hospital, Friends of South Lake, Swimming for Life! and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. It is proof that is takes an entire community to save lives.”
“South Lake Hospital is focused on preventing incidents before they happen,” said John Moore, CEO of South Lake Hospital in Clermont. “It’s through meaningful and educational programs such as Water Safety Day that we can make a significant change. Even the economic impact is significant. Nonfatal drowning hospitalization charges in the state exceed $16 million each year.”
For more information, contact Matthew Gosselin, representative for the event, at 407-581-3511 or [email protected].
