CHICAGO – As temperatures rise across Illinois and families head to pools, lakes, beaches and splash pads to stay cool, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Servies (DCFS) is reminding caregivers to use a simple life-saving strategy to help keep children safe around water: designate a Water Watcher.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4; and the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 5-14. Most of these tragedies can be prevented if children are actively supervised when they are in or near water.
This summer, Illinois DCFS launched its Water Watcher initiative in partnership with Safe Kids Illinois and the Ann & Robert Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago to help families strengthen supervision around water. The initiative includes a printable Water Watcher tag that clearly identifies the adult responsible for supervising children during water activities, helping ensure that someone is always alert and watching them.
The designated Water Watcher commits to:
- Remaining in constant visual contact with all children in or near water.
- Remaining by the water unless relieved by another Water Watcher.
- Not looking at phones or other devices, consuming alcoholic beverages or socializing.
- Calling 911 in an emergency.
“Water is always an attraction – particularly for children,” said Illinois DCFS Director Heidi E. Mueller. “We strongly encourage designating a Water Watcher. It only takes a few seconds for an accidental drowning to occur, and it can happen even if your child is a good swimmer or they are equipped with a life jacket. Remaining vigilant around water can save your child’s life.”
To download Water Watcher tags and learn more water safety tips, visit the DCFS Water Safety webpage: dcfs.illinois.gov/for-families/safety/water-safety.html.