Greater Philadelphia YMCA’s Post

According to the CDC, “drowning is the cause of 4,000 fatalities in the U.S. annually, and the leading cause of death in children ages 1-4 years old. 8,000 visits to the emergency departments are also made annually for non-fatal drownings.” The statistics are alarming; We NEED policy change. We need increased education on water safety for communities as preventive measures, and we need more lifeguards with continued skill training. Please share to continue to advocate for the public health crisis that is water-related injuries and fatalities! https://lnkd.in/eZMDhJYG

Loria Yeadon modeling that just because you may not have had access to something in the past, doesn’t mean that you have to let guilt, shame, or any other emotion keep you from taking the plunge when that sea of opportunity opens up. Whether it’s swimming (or financial strategy/estate planning 😉) take a deep breath and dive on in with a trusted coach/instructor/advisor. #BreakingBarriers #GenerationalShifts

Those of you who have been brave enough to ask me about my #PhD research will have heard all about how I'm trying to improve how #paramedics and other #emergency services work together, respond and train for water-based emergencies - but nothing would make me happier than for my work to become redundant through #prevention instead. This week is water safety week at Cockburn ARC swim school- the excellent aquatic centre where we take our precious girl for her weekly swimming lessons. So it's a great time to be reminded of the importance of swimming lessons and water safety for our little ones. Despite a continued reduction in drowning over the past two decades, drowning remains a leading cause of preventable death in children aged 1-14. Some steps we can all take to prevent drowning include: 1) Ensure pools are fenced, gates are closed and that children can't climb over fencing. 2) Learn to swim and ensure your children, grandchildren and family know how to swim. 3) Always actively supervise children in, on or around water - active supervision means undivided attention with no screens. Younger children should always be within arm's length when swimming. 4) Always swim between the flags - and seek out patrolled beaches. 5) Learn CPR - Surf Life Saving Australia and St John WA both offer great first aid courses that will teach you essential skills that may help you save a life. 6) Always WEAR a lifejacket when on a boat, rock fishing or in a kayak etc - and unlike Willow here, make sure it fits! Children should be wearing appropriately sized and approved PFDs. Together we can all work towards preventing all deaths due to drowning. *No Willow's were harmed in the taking of this photo. She is unimpressed about being on the water and not in it though!

As followers of Kindling will have seen, I’ve had the chance to dive more deeply into the world of fire safety education at ISES2023 and meet some inspirational colleagues and new friends and collaborators! Here are some of the themes related to fire safety education that I have been thinking about over the last few months at Kindling and had the chance to explore more over the last two days with colleagues from across Europe and beyond. 🔥 Fire risk is shaped by social, political, economic and environmental factors. We need to remember this as we talk about education, taking the conversation beyond access and quantitative measurements. 🔥 ‘Fire Safety Education with children doesn’t need to be limited to children!’ (see related post by Kindling). I found this in my work in Lebanon where parents wanted to play the same game as the children because it was fun and informative! 🔥 At Kindling, we recognise the importance of shelter adaptation (see our work for the Global Shelter Cluster: https://lnkd.in/e3aay6-K). Fire safety education therefore needs to reflect how people live and this includes building in opportunities for adaptation the what and how of this work. 🔥 Evaluation and impact need to be built into program design: how will ‘users’ and ‘customers’ become ‘co-creators’ of fire safety education so that they seem themselves and their experiences in the learning? 🔥 Understanding how people experience the ‘after’ fire phase (e.g. how do they experience the long process of recovery) has to become part of how we think about prevention. 🔥 Unlearning: across the fire safety system, all actors need to be open to unlearning. It’s integral to innovation, inclusivity and ensuring meaningful and purposeful collaboration. 🔥 Finally, the wider world of fire safety is still somewhat gendered : inclusion and diversity are foundational if the discipline and practice is going to continue to evolve and ensure it meets the needs of diverse populations at the global, national and community levels. There’s so much more to continue reflecting on, but this is just the beginning. For now, I’m returning to my home desk excited to reconnect with this community in Finland, 2025! European Fire Safety Alliance #ISES #fireprevention #firesafety

I've been chairperson at Tawe Boating Club for just over 2 weeks. In that time I've started to take a deep dive on the, as is, operating model for the club. This has meant that I've been searching for and reviewing policies, risk assessments, and club rules. To say there were no stand alone policies would be an understatement! I have been busy writing our safeguarding policy, our equality policy, and others will follow. But it's closest crocodile to the boat at this point. I've also done a complete review of the club rulebook, which was using outdated and complex language. I've updated the rules to reflect reality and I've tailored the rulebook so that the intended audience can understand it, and not just used jargon as was the case. The next step is updating our club risk assessment. This is long over due, and like a lot of voluntary organisations, without direction and leadership the club was an open goal waiting for an accident to happen. So in preparation for re writing the RA, I've been busy buying some of the mitigations. We now have serviceable fire extinguishers and actually have a first aid kit on site! I've also been busy condemning lifting tackle that was an accident waiting to happen, and have replaced it all with brand new kit that is fit for purpose. These aren't skillsets that I've learned in IT, these are skillsets I acquired over 23 years in the Army. #veterans #leadership #volunteers

💦 Dive into Safety: Teaching Water Safety for Kids! 💦 As the weather warms up and families head to pools, beaches, and lakes, it's crucial to ensure our little ones are equipped with the knowledge they need to stay safe in and around water. Here's why teaching water safety is absolutely essential: 1⃣ Prevention of Drowning: Drowning is a leading cause of accidental death among children. Teaching water safety measures such as swimming skills, proper use of life jackets, and awareness of dangerous water conditions can significantly reduce the risk. 2⃣ Confidence and Independence: Learning water safety empowers children to enjoy aquatic activities with confidence, fostering independence and a love for swimming. 3⃣ Lifelong Skill: Water safety skills are not just for childhood; they are valuable throughout life, ensuring individuals can safely enjoy water-related activities for years to come. Let's make a splash for safety! By educating our kids about water safety, we're giving them the gift of a lifetime. 💧👧🏊♂ Let's keep them safe, happy, and thriving in and around water! To learn more about the Treasure Coast Safety Village, please visit www.tcsafetyvillage.com WaterSafety #DrowningPrevention #SafeSwimming

Daily Tip: Parents, it’s important that you talk to your nanny about your specific expectations around water safety. Don’t assume they follow the same guidelines you do.     ·       Are you a capable swimmer? (Many nannies are not and it’s never discussed.) ·       Is your CPR certification up-to-date? ·       Can your child swim in areas where there’s not a lifeguard on duty? ·       Does your child need to wear a life vest in and/or around the water? ·       How close does the nanny need to be to your child while in or around water? (e.g. hands on at all times, within arm’s length, at the edge of the pool) ·       Can the nanny take multiple children into the water at once? If no, what is the plan for keeping the child(ren) outside the water safe from the water? ·       Can older children swim without direct supervision if they’re with a buddy? ·       Can other children swim in your backyard pool? If yes, do they need to be accompanied by an adult? ·       Can your child visit another home with a backyard pool without the nanny? ·       What are the backyard pool rules? (e.g. no running, no diving in the shallow end) There may be others guidelines to discuss, depending on your situation.

Wondering how you can apply for the J-1 Camp Counselor program? Here are 5 simple steps in how you can submit an application. Need help, WhatsApp us at 876-552-9449🇺🇸 #bridgeusa #j1program #flytousa #cultrualexhange #campcounselor

🏊♀️Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4 AND it is preventable. Children who receive swim lessons are 88% less likely to drown. This week I learned more from the people and organizations leading the state in water safety (including the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, The Stew Leonard III Water Safety Foundation, and The Greater Waterbury YMCA) about the impact of swim lessons in preventing drownings. It’s inspiring to see these #Connecticut partners come together to raise awareness on such a critical issue. 📊In underserved communities, 79% of children in households with incomes less than $50,000 have no or low swimming ability. Drowning death rates for Black children ages 10-14 are over 7 times higher than White children. Additionally, 64% of Black, 45% of Hispanic/Latino, and 40% of Caucasian children cannot swim. 🚫💲Free swim lessons for children can make a significant difference in preventing tragedies. Programs across Connecticut have provided nearly 5,000 lessons to over 4,000 children, aiming to ensure every child has the opportunity to learn this life-saving skill. Essential Water Safety Tips: 🔵 Always watch your children. Drowning is quick and silent. Stay within arm’s reach. 🔵 Drink responsibly. Swim sober. 🔵 Swim in designated areas and always with a buddy. 🔵 Know your limits and be aware of underwater hazards. 🔵 Use U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets for children and inexperienced swimmers. Get involved, learn more, and ensure that EVERY child can safely enjoy the water this summer. Stay safe and make a splash responsibly! #WaterSafety #SwimLessons #SafeSwimming #EquityInSafety #DEI