BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Memorial Day weekend is right around the corner and warmer weather calls for outdoor water activities.
While days by the pool, river, lake or ocean are fun, water safety is crucial.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the highest cause of accidental death for children ages one through five.
“The temperatures are rising, and we all want to go to swimming pools, rivers, beaches; and we need to protect our children,” Michelle Corson with Kern County Public Health said.
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In an effort to do so, Kern County Public Health launches its Water Watchers program every year.
“This is ensuring that there is always someone watching the children,” Corson said.
The lanyard is for any adult supervising children near water.
“This has a little whistle on it so you can get the other adults’ attention if you see a child in distress.”
Other than pool days, river rafting is another fun activity to help cool down, but the Kern River can be challenging for many.
“The water may look calm up top, but the undercurrents are very strong, there are hazards, low temperatures. Even the strongest swimmers can have a difficult time in the river,” Jorge Esparza, a fire engineer with the Bakersfield Fire Department said.
According to the BFD, the Kern River takes five to seven lives each year.
In preparation for eventual emergency calls, BFD sets time aside around this time of year to train for river rescues.
“The biggest concerns we have are: we have the appropriate number of personnel, we have the appropriate gear, and we have a plan,” Esparza said.
Ways you can plan ahead and be safe are simple, proper supervision but also swimming lessons for children.
“Knowing how to swim, that’s really going to help kids if they get in a sticky situation, kind of lose their footing in the water, knowing how to keep their head up above water, knowing how to float,” Anthony Bishop, a Recreation Specialist for the City of Bakersfield said.
The City of Bakersfield will open online registration for swimming courses for children 6 months and older Friday. Information can be found here.
In conjunction with the American Red Cross, the city also offers pediatric CPR courses to help improve safety and reduce risk this summer.
“Drowning is silent, it is something that happens within seconds. And so it’s vitally important to keep your eyes on the children,” Corson said.
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