SAN DIEGO–With Memorial Day weekend quickly approaching, Prevent Drowning Foundation of San Diego is issuing a safety warning due to San Diego County kids and families having nowhere safe to swim this weekend. Community pools are closed due to COVID-19 and as we head into this holiday weekend, families and kids will be looking for options outside of the house to cool off.
“At this moment, there are over 81 community pools closed across San Diego County alone. The only water activity available in Southern California is getting into the ocean. It’s important that family choices coincide with their swimming ability,” according to Buc Buchanan, president of Prevent Drowning Foundation of San Diego.
Right now, beaches and bays are the only place for kids to swim, these areas are much more dangerous than pools. If you don’t know how to swim, don’t head to the beach, warns Buchanan.
The obvious solution is for San Diego to open all community pools to ensure the safety of kids who are new swimmers and do not have the skills to swim in the ocean. These pools provide the safest swimming opportunity.
Families participating in water activities this weekend, can designate a water watcher. Tags can be picked up at any local San Diego County Fire Station.
Drowning is a leading cause of accidental death for children in San Diego county. Children can drown quickly and silently, in a matter of seconds. Drowning is preventable.
