Sen. Blumenthal, Stew Leonard Jr. team up to promote water safety
Their pair is reminding people to keep an eye on children when they are in the water and do not get distracted by phones. They suggest adults wear lifesaving vests or floatation and learn how to perform CPR. The No. 1 way to prevent drownings is to teach children how to swim.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Stew Leonard Jr. joined forces Wednesday to promote water safety.
Drowning remains the leading cause of death in children ages 1 to 4 and is the second leading cause of death for kids from 5 to 14.
Their pair is reminding people to keep an eye on children when they are in the water and do not get distracted by phones. They suggest adults wear lifesaving vests or floatation and learn how to perform CPR.
The No. 1 way to prevent drownings is to teach children how to swim.
"Learn to swim. There's no excuse for a child to be deprived of swimming lessons. Drowning can occur in inches of water it doesn't need to be the ocean or the deep end of the pool. It can happen in a foot or less with a child who is unable to swim," says Blumenthal.
Additional safety measures people can take include making sure a pool is fenced in and covering it. Leonard says there are also watches that will alert parents if someone falls into the pool.
For Leonard, his work to promote water safety is personal. His son, Stew Leonard III, died after he drowned in a pool when he was nearly 2 years old.
In honor of his son, Leonard and his wife founded the Stew Leonard III Water Safety Foundation.
Over the years, the nonprofit has raised millions for water safety awareness, which includes funding for lifeguards and providing free or low-cost swim lessons to kids in need.
