Rep. Klarides-Ditria, Lawmakers Talk “Water Safety” During National Water Safety Month

HARTFORD- State Representative Nicole Klarides-Ditria joined her colleagues, experts and advocates on water safety, and the Connecticut Commission on Women, Children, and Seniors on Tuesday for National Water Safety Month. Stew Leonard III Children’s Charities also announced new initiatives to teach school-aged children basic swimming, water safety, and safe rescue skills in a fun way through reading and their new mobile game, Super Stewie Safety Toss.

“I am proud to see Connecticut working with parents, police officers, and children to make sure they are educated about water safety,” said Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria. “As a community, we need to be more vigilant of children and children with autism around bodies of water. Summer is right around the corner, and taking these steps now will help reduce accidental drownings this summer.”

Nationally, approximately 800 children die each year from unintentional drowning; and minority children, and children with autism, make up a disproportionately high number of victims. According to the Centers for Disease Control, drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death in children ages 1-4 and the second leading cause in children 5-14. The risk of drowning is highest in minority populations; with the fatal drowning rate almost three times that of Caucasian children.

For more information about National Water Safety Month, visit www.nationalwatersafetymonth.org.