Water Smart Weston

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Pool and Water Safety

Did you know..?

90% of drownings occur when a child walks out the door without anyone noticing.
The majority children who drowned walked out of their home out through the sliding glass door.
Children ages one to three years-old are the most likely to drown.

Do you have a pool or spa at your home? Review the safety tips at PoolSafely.gov.

Gold Level Water Smart Community - City of Weston

The Florida Department of Health in Broward County has designated the City of Weston as a Gold level water smart community! The Gold level shows that the City actively promotes safe water practices and eliminate hazards and factors attributed to drowning and has met a number of established goals set by the Health Department.

Water Safety Tips

Keep your kids safe in the water! Drowning is Preventable! Drowning is Silent. There are No Warning sounds or splashing associated with a drowning accident. Click here to learn more about Water Safety Tips.

Drowning is the number one cause of death for children ages one to four in Broward County. Drowning is preventable!

A majority of toddler drowning fatalities occur because of a brief lapse in supervision within the home or play area of the yard.

Never leave children unsupervised in or around a body of water - even for a moment. Children can drown in as little as two inches of water in less than one minute.
Install a self-closing gate around the pool.
Alarm every door leading to water to alert you if a child has gone outside.
Teach children water and swimming skills.
During pool parties or family beach gatherings, designate an adult to watch the children.
Remove any toys that may attract children to the pool area.
Install a pool cover to securely cover the water area.
Install a poolside, cordless phone.
Keep lifesaving equipment - a pole, life preserver and rope - in the pool area.
Children with long hair should have it back in a ponytail.
Avoid keeping water in buckets or other large containers when toddlers are home.
Don't rely on flotation devices to protect your children in the water.

Drowning Prevention Checklist

Constant adult supervision by an adult who knows how to swim
Learn to swim - swimming skills reduces the risk of drowning, especially for children ages 1 - 4
Install and use pool barriers, including a fence surrounding water with a self-closing gate that locks or a secured pool cover that remains in place at all times that the pool is not in use
Use childproof locks on all doors leading to water
Ensure alarms for doors and windows leading to pool are activated
Remove above-ground pool stairs when pool not in use
Have lifesaving equipment in pool area.
Pool chemicals and supplies are locked in a secure area
Child is watched in bathtub at all times
Parent and / or caregiver know CPR

Learn to Swim | Swim Lessons for Infants through Adult
Here in Weston, the Weston YMCA offers swimming lessons for all ages.

Swim Coupon
The Children’s Services Council of Broward County has partnered with Broward County’s SWIM Central program to provide a coupon with a value of $40 to help off-set the cost of swimming instruction for children ages 6 months through 4 years-old.
List of locations in Weston and throughout Broward County that provide swim lessons and accept the Water SMART Broward Coupon.