Swim Safe

Swimming Safe Saves Lives

When it comes to fun in and around the water, it’s never too early for swimmers to know what and what not to do.

That’s why the St. Charles Park District developed a variety of awareness programs and activities designed to reinforce the “Swimming Safe Saves Lives” message. It’s a sad statistic, but drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related deaths for children ages 1 to 14. Teaching children to swim is a vital skill for drowning prevention.

This water awareness campaign was founded with the Pauly D Foundation, created by the DelleGrazie family of St. Charles whose 4-year-old son, Pauly, died in June, 2014, as the result of a drowning accident. It is the Foundation’s mission to honor Pauly’s memory by advocating for water safety and drowning prevention.

But before the aquatic fun begins, swimmers are urged to commit to water awareness through the park district’s “Swim Safe” pledge program. Participants agree to honor the Safe Swimmer pledge which promotes the five basic tenets of water safety awareness:

1) take swimming lessons
2) read the rules
3) know the water depth
4) swim with a buddy
5) swim with a lifeguard or adult on duty