North Babylon, NY – The Town of Babylon, in partnership with End Drowning Now, recently held a press conference at the Phelps Lane Pool in North Babylon to emphasize the critical importance of water safety as the summer season begins. The event was spearheaded by Babylon Town Councilman Terence McSweeney and Bobby Hazen, founder of End Drowning Now.
In attendance were Babylon Town Clerk Gerry Compitello, Parks Commissioner Eva Rodriguez, NYS Assemblyman Michael Durso, Suffolk County Legislator, Minority Leader Jason Richberg, Suffolk County Undersheriff John Becker, and Suffolk County Legislator, Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey. Each speaker underscored the vital need for increased awareness and proactive measures to prevent drowning incidents, particularly among young children.
"Drowning is a leading cause of death for children between the ages of one and four," said Councilman McSweeney, Chairman of the Public Safety Committee. "As a community, we must prioritize education and safety measures to protect our youngest and most vulnerable residents. This initiative is about saving lives and ensuring that our children can enjoy the water safely this summer."
Bobby Hazen demonstrated essential drowning-prevention techniques and offered practical tips to parents and caregivers. He highlighted the following statistics and guidelines:
- Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death among children aged 1-4.
- Most child drownings occur in home swimming pools.
- It only takes a few seconds and a small amount of water for a child to drown.
- Constant supervision, the use of barriers around pools, and learning CPR can significantly reduce the risk of drowning.
The conference featured the Town's Phelps Lane Pool, a large public pool where swimming lessons offered by the Department of Parks & Recreation were underway, and symbolizing the many locations across Long Island where families will swim this summer. This visual underscored the necessity of being vigilant and prepared whenever near water. Councilman McSweeney concluded the event by reiterating his commitment to public safety and the importance of community initiatives like this one. "We all have a role to play in preventing tragedies. Let's work together to ensure a safe and enjoyable summer for everyone."
