Water groups rally for NWSM

by habiba_abudu | May 22, 2019 9:02 am

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The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (formerly the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals/National Swimming Pool Foundation) , the National Recreation and Park Association, the American Red Cross, and dozens of other water affiliates have joined forces for May’s National Water Safety Month (NWSM).

The purpose of this initiative is to raise public awareness about safer water practices for children and adults.

With the first of its kind in 2003, the campaign quickly grew from a week to month-long event that involves thousands of aquatic facilities, organizations, and professionals that provide educational programs, public service announcements, governmental proclamations, dealer and aquatics business promotions, and the distribution of water safety themed materials designed to help prevent water-related fatalities, illnesses, and injuries.

“This campaign is a powerful way to send a crucial message at the start of the busy summer swim season,” said Connie Harvey, director of the aquatics centennial initiative for the American Red Cross. “There are layers of protection involved in water safety. The initiative ensures everyone in the family learns how to swim and parents and caregivers have the knowledge and skills to handle emergencies around the water, including how to perform Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). NWSM helps us communicate these messages.”

There are events hosted in recognition of this month. For example, May 15, was International Water Safety Day. The focus of this day was to raise awareness about the drowning pandemic as well as to promote safer water practices.

“In 2018, we were able to secure proclamations from governors in all 50 U.S. states to recognize May as NWSM. This acknowledgement emphasizes the importance of protecting kids and families in and around the water through education and building awareness,” said World Waterpark Association’s (WWA’s) president Rick Root. “Participating in NWSM is a wonderful opportunity to broaden our reach and amplify our message about the importance of learning to swim and providing undistracted parental supervision while children are near the water.”

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

Source URL: https://www.poolspamarketing.com/trade/news/water-groups-rally-for-nwsm/

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