Drowning Impact Awareness Month began Aug. 1, and it’s a good time to remember the basics of water safety. From pool parties to monsoon storms, water can be found everywhere.
The need for water safety awareness and for people of all ages to stay vigilant near water is especially high this time of year.
Water safety is important
SRP brings water to the Valley, and we care about your safety around it. As part of our commitment, we partner with local organizations to provide tools to help you practice water safety.
To mark Drowning Impact Awareness Month, SRP partnered with the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona to offer free CPR classes aimed at saving lives and preventing water incidents.
Know your water safety ABCs
Help prevent pool drownings by keeping the ABCs of water safety in mind.
- A: Adult Supervision
- B: Barriers
- C: Classes and Coast Guard-approved life jackets.
Learn more pool safety tips from the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona.
SRP believes safety should be accessible
“One of the things we hear is that our community members can’t afford classes, so SRP provides funding for free or reduced CPR and swimming lessons year-round,” said Regina Lane-Haycock, Community Engagement Strategist for SRP Safety Connection. “We feel access to classes should never be an obstacle to safety.”
“Drowning can occur after other measures have failed, including adult supervision, barriers to prevent access to water, Coast Guard- approved life vests, swimming lessons and CPR with rescue breaths.”
Regina Lane-Haycock, SRP Community Engagement Strategist
The drowning rate in Arizona continues to be one of the highest in the nation. According to Child Safety Zone, there have been 24 drowning deaths as of July 29, 2021, in Maricopa and Pinal counties.
Of those 25 deaths, 16 were adults and seven were children under age 5. For adults, big factors continue to be a lack of swimming lessons and the influence of drugs and alcohol. You can sign up for free CPR classes by visiting www.preventdrownings.org
How SRP helps
SRP gives more than $3.6 million each year in community giving, including funds toward educating Valley residents in both English and Spanish on ways to stay safe around water and electricity. SRP also participates in more than 400 events across the Valley each year to share safety messages with the community.
