Kenosha Safety Around Water Coalition Starts May Campaign for National Safety Around Water Month

With public pools and beaches opening again this summer, there will certainly be excitement around water! The Kenosha Safety Around Water Coalition is campaigning during the National Safety Around Water month of May tips for safety around water. 

The risk of drowning is as prevalent as ever, being the leading cause of unintentional death for children ages 1-4. These tragic deaths are preventable.

“As ‘America’s Swim Instructor,’ the Kenosha YMCA typically teaches more than 1,000 children invaluable water safety and swimming skills each year but more can be done to encourage the community as a whole to take increased safety precautions around water, especially Lake Michigan.

As ‘America’s Swim Instructor,’ the Kenosha YMCA typically teaches more than 1,000 children invaluable water safety and swimming skills each year but more can be done to encourage the community as a whole to take increased safety precautions around water, especially Lake Michigan.

As part of National Water Safety Month, the Kenosha Safety Around Water Coalition is encouraging all community members to play an active role in promoting water safety and providing five tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable swimming experience for all.

1. The Pier is NOT for Play. Kenosha City Ordinance #6.02(b)(6) states that no person should be in water within 50 feet in any direction from the pier. This includes jumping off of the pier.

2. Flip, Float, & Follow. If you are drowning, flip onto your back and float to keep your head above water, remain calm, and retain energy. Then, follow the safest path back to shore!

3. Reach or Throw, Don’t Go! When helping someone who is having trouble in dangerous water, we can help by reaching out to them with a hand, leg, or object such as a noodle, paddle, tree branch, broom, etc. We can also help them by throwing them a floating object such as a ring buoy, life jacket, inner tube, etc. It is important that you do not become a secondary victim.

4. When in Doubt, Don’t Go Out: Know before you go by checking forecasts, waves, and currents. Respect the power of the water and don’t take chances! Obey all warning signs and only swim in water that has been approved for swimming.

To learn more about the Kenosha YMCA’s swim programs, please contact Sam Craig at scraig@kenoshaymca.org.

The Kenosha Safety Around Water Coalition meets monthly and works together to raise awareness around issues of water safety. Our mission is to create a culture of healthy respect and safe enjoyment of water in the Kenosha area through education and advocacy. Our current focus is Lake Michigan Safety. Our goal is to change the culture by educating students, parents and the general community that jumping from the pier and swimming in Pike River and Pike Creek is dangerous and life threatening. The Kenosha YMCA has hosted a monthly Safety Around Water Coalition meeting, made up of community members from all sectors, to keep the focus on raising water safety awareness year-round. Members of the coalition include representatives from the Kenosha YMCA, City of Kenosha Fire Department, City of Kenosha Police Department, City of Kenosha Aldermen, Village of Somers, Coast Guard, Navy, Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, Kenosha Community Sailing Center, Kenosha Sports Fishing and Conservation, Carthage College and concerned citizens.