Page 9 - April - June, 2019 CityLine

Beautifi cation Committee Selects Yard of Quarter Winner
Congratulations! Shawn and Jenny Brown, 790 Val Verde Circle East

Adult Water Safety
by Tanja Tanner, Community Risk Reduction Coordinator, Goodyear Fire Department
Every year more than twice the number of teens and adults lose their lives in water-related incidents than children. Many factors
contribute to drowning among this population:

• • Teens and adults have a tendency to overestimate their swimming abilities.
• • Water conditions are underestimated (temperature, depth, unseen objects).
• • Alcohol, drugs or medication are sometimes found to be a contributing factor.
• • Life jackets are not being used.
The most common element in adult water-related
incidents is swimming alone. You are never old
enough to swim by yourself. Kids are taught that they
must have a supervisor and to “swim with a buddy”
as they get older. Adults should follow two simple
rules: never swim alone and never swim impaired.

• • Always tell a family member or friend that you
are going into the pool or hot tub.

• • Do not take any medications —either prescription or over-the-counter medicines–that could make you feel drowsy before entering a
body of water. This includes pools, hot tubs or bath tubs. If you’re not sure, check with your doctor or pharmacist.

• • Never mix alcohol and any kind of water-related activity. The water temperatures in hot tubs can speed up the effects of alcohol.
The DPCA and Goodyear Fire Department has increased messaging to target reminders to the adult population. The Coalition is reviewing
avenues and developing strategies to communicate to this audience. Pharmacies are instructing individuals when using medication to
avoid operating heavy machinery and swimming or spaing alone.

litchfi eld-park.org Apr-Jun 2019 Issue | 9