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Every year in our nation, too many children die from drowning, and sadly, statistics show the Sunshine State leads the nation among children five years old and younger. So far this year, 30 children have died statewide, including four in Broward County.
To better educate children and adults about ways to prevent these tragedies, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) will join Adam Katchmarchi, the Executive Director of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, Jay Sanford, the Manager of SWIM Central and Casey McGovern, a pool safety advocate. Casey’s 19-month-old daughter, Edna Mae, drowned in the family’s backyard pool in 2009.
In 2007, Congress passed legislation introduced by Wasserman Schultz, the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Act, implementing layers of protection to help prevent childhood drowning. This historic legislation includes funding to educate the public, installers, local officials, and consumers regarding the danger of pool drowning and action steps that can be taken to prevent it. The Act also provides grants for municipalities that pass laws requiring installation of fences around pools and critical safety equipment to prevent dangerous suction entrapments.
While in the Florida Legislature, Wasserman Schultz passed the Preston de Ibern-McKenzie Merriam Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act, the state’s first-ever pool safety law.
WHO: Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25)
Adam Katchmarchi – National Drowning Prevention Alliance
Jay Sanford – SWIM Central
Casey McGovern – Pool Safety Advocate
WHEN: Friday, May 10, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.
WHERE: David Posnack Jewish Community Center
Pool – Enter thru the Orlove Auditorium
Please enter through the gate on Pine Island Road closest to Stirling Road
Media should arrive early because you’ll have to go through security at that gate
