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North Las Vegas proclaims July 25 World Drowning Prevention Day; coalition highlights early child-drowning tolls
Summary
City Council read a proclamation recognizing July 25 as World Drowning Prevention Day. Greg Blackburn of the Southern Nevada Child Drowning Prevention Coalition said early in the coalition's work the region saw about 10 child drowning deaths per year and credited education and swim lessons for progress.
The North Las Vegas City Council on July 15 read a proclamation recognizing July 25 as World Drowning Prevention Day, citing the city's warm climate, many private pools and the need for layered protections such as supervision, secure fencing, swim lessons, life jackets and CPR training.
Greg Blackburn, chairman of the Southern Nevada Child Drowning Prevention Coalition, told the council the coalition's early work showed the community faced a severe toll from child drownings. "Unfortunately, when the coalition started, there were approximately 10 deaths, child deaths per year," he said, and recalled one year when "all of them were Hispanic children," underscoring disparities the coalition tracks and targets with outreach and lessons.
Blackburn thanked the city and coalition partners for continuing water-safety training and educational programs. The proclamation text noted the role of the North Las Vegas Fire Department, Parks and Recreation Department, the Police Department and community partners in providing swim instruction and life-saving training to residents of all ages.
Council members and staff framed the proclamation as an awareness and prevention step ahead of the summer high-use season for pools and splash pads. The city will encourage residents and caregivers to learn pool-safety measures and to support local water-safety programs.
