This Event has Passed
NDPA TO HOST WATER SAFETY EXPO TO HELP END CHILD DROWNING
WHY:
Florida is experiencing record-breaking drowning numbers this summer and we are mid-way through the water recreation season. Sadly 65 of the drownings on record this year have been children, with 57 of them under the age of 5 years old.
Florida is home to over 1.5 million residential pools (the most in the U.S), at least 42,000 public pools, and 825 miles of beaches, so water safety awareness and hands-on training is critical.
The National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) is dedicated to reducing the incidence of drowning in Florida and beyond and is hosting this event to help prevent future tragedies.
WHAT/WHO:
Press Conference, 11:30a-12:30p: Open to Media Only
Subject: Rise in Florida drowning rates among children; with focus on safety measures and prevention practices. Speakers include policy makers, advocates, and affected families. Mothers Christina Martin and Casey McGovern, who each lost a young child to a non-swim time drowning and featured in the recently launched PSA “The Clothes They Wore,” will be on hand and available for interviews.
Water Safety Exposition, (10a-2p): Open to the Public
Water Safety Expo will feature a variety of organizations and programs dedicated to water safety, such as Abbey’s Hope, Team Kareem, and Fort Lauderdale Ocean Rescue. There will be demonstrations of five layers of protection to prevent drowning, information on local resources, and the opportunity to connect with other advocates and experts in the field.
VISUALS:
A highlight of the event will be a creative art display from NDPA’s “The Clothes They Wore” campaign, which includes powerful messages from five families directly affected by child drownings. Their stories serve as a poignant reminder that 70% of child drownings occur during non-swim times.
WHEN: Tuesday, August 6, 2024; 10am - 2pm
WHERE:
Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center, next to the Swimming Hall of Fame.
501 Seabreeze Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
MEDIA INSTRUCTIONS: To reserve a press spot during the press program and/or arrange an interview with NDPA or one of our featured speakers or parent advocates, please email [email protected]
https://forms.gle/GtpuWURvrVBjrhtN8
