Arizona American Water Promotes Drowning Impact Awareness Month

PHOENIX, Aug. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Arizona American Water wants to remind the community that August is Drowning Impact Awareness Month and to ensure families are safe while cooling off in the pool this summer.

Along with the fun in the sun comes the tragic reality of water-related deaths to children especially in Arizona. Drowning is the number one cause of unintentional injury death of children from one to four years of age in the state. The majority of these deaths occur during the summer months, between April and August. Only midway through the summer, there have already been more than 65 water-related incidents in Maricopa County and more than 75 percent of them were infants to 12 years-old. It is important to know that two out of the three drownings occur in backyard spas, pools and bathtubs while the child's supervisor assumed the child was safely indoors.

Families should create a safety checklist to ensure all are safely enjoying the pool. Be sure to always have rescue equipment nearby, fence gates are locked, and if no fence, then all household doors and windows have locks out of children's reach. All checklists should include keeping toys out of the pool area, ensuring all pool chemicals and supplies are safely out of a child's reach and that all family members and babysitters are trained in CPR. The most important thing to remember is never to leave a child unattended in the water or pool area for any reason and don't be distracted by doorbells, conversations, or phone calls.

If someone is in trouble in the water, always yell for help first. Throw the person something that floats (ball, life ring, inner tube), and pull the person out if you are able. Call 9-1-1 immediately. Begin CPR if needed and follow the operator's instructions until help arrives. Do not hang up the phone until the operator does.

Arizona American Water wants all families to recognize Drowning Impact Awareness Month while enjoying the water this summer. Taking the necessary precautions and learning what to do in an emergency situation will save lives.

Arizona American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 350,000 people.

Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest investor-owned U.S. water and wastewater utility company.  With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs more than 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to approximately 16 million people in 35 states, as well as Ontario and Manitoba, Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.

SOURCE Arizona American Water