SAFER 3 FACT SHEET The Swim for Life Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charity that raises awareness and funding for its “Safer 3” Drowning Prevention Program. Songs and cartoon characters that appeal to kids are used to prevent drowning through education. Events and programs increase awareness and provide access to proven drowning prevention techniques. Olympians, lifeguards, first responders, teachers, coaches, parents, companies, foundations and communities all support the Safer 3 program.
Tax I.D. # 87-0703620 There is a need: Drowning is the 2nd leading cause of accidental death in the U.S. among children under 14 and leading cause of accidental death for children age 5 and under – American Institute for Preventive Medicine A child can drown in the time it takes to answer the phone – U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Of all preschoolers who drown, 70% are in the care of one or both parents and 75% are missing from sight for five minutes or less – National Center for Injury Prevention & Control 65% of preschooler drowning occurs in the child’s home pool and 33% at the homes of friends, neighbors or relatives. – U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission What is “Safer 3”? Safer Water – Install, maintain & use proper fencing, gates, gate latches, alarms & other safety equipment around the pool. Fences should be five feet high, the area surrounding fence should be clear of objects a child could use to get over the fence, gates should be self -closing, and doors and windows allowing pool access should be locked at all times. Safer Kids – Employ constant adult supervision and swim skill attainment through ongoing qualified instruction. Learn proper behavior in and around the water by learning to swim and teaching pool rules. Always assign an adult water watcher. Do not rely on floatation devices and never treat a child as water safe. Safer Response – Learn CPR, first aid and rescue techniques. Keep an emergency action plan and phone by the pool at all times. Always be ready for an emergency by preparing and sharing an emergency plan. Learn CPR and keep rescue equipment, emergency numbers and a phone by the pool. Contact Information: Kristin Scheithauer Swim for Life Foundation, Inc. (714) 336-0920 kscheithauer@cox.net Johnny Johnson, President Swim for Life Foundation, Inc. 714-225-7680 Johnny@bluebuoy.com