April 1, 2016. Kimberly Metz, owner of Splash, had the opportunity to meet the Safer 3 Water Mascots at the National Drowning Prevention Alliance Educational Conference in Arizona this week! The 3 Mascots are Gilbert Guppy, Timmy Tadpole and Sammy Starfish!
Here is the Safer 3 Water message (via their website):
“What is Safer 3 Message?
The main concept of Safer 3 is based on the definition of the word “Safe.” Safe means you are free from risk of harm or danger. When it comes to water, that simply isn’t true. There is always risk when you are in, on or around the water. The risk may vary in degree from very slight to very severe. The letter “r” in the word “Safer” reflects that difference. Risk of drowning is found in 3 main areas; Water, a Person which we shall refer to as a KID, since we are all someone’s kid, and a Response that will become the last chance for saving a life.
Safer 3 is a comprehensive initiative to dramatically reduce drowning incidents by:
1) Recognizing risks associated with water related activities
2) Implementing strategies to reduce and manage those risks
3) Responsibly maintaining those strategies
Safer Water (Sammy Starfish) means identifying where the risks are with any body of water (bathtubs, pools, spas, lakes, rivers or oceans) and learning how to reduce those risks. For example installing barriers such as isolation fencing around a backyard pool would reduce the risk of unauthorized access to the pool by young children.
Safer Kids (Timmy Tadpole) covers the behaviors necessary for both kids and parents to promote water safety. These water safety tips include constant responsible supervision by adults, along with swimming skills attained through ongoing qualified instruction for kids.
Safer Response (Gilbert Guppy) overviews emergency response techniques and emergency action plans as a path to water safety. Learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid, as well as having a phone by the pool at all times, are just a few of the water safety tips covered here.”
Learn more at the Safer 3 Water website! www.swimforlife.org