Every Summer West Metro Fire Fighters are called to assist a drowning victim; sadly, despite all our efforts, not all of them survive. In 2007, West Metro lost a child to drowning at Bear Creek Lake Park's swim beach and at an apartment building swimming pool.
West Metro fire fighters aim to prevent deaths from drowning through education and information.
Join us for the 2008 Family Fire Muster on Saturday, June 14 at Red Rocks Community College (13300 West 6th Avenue in Lakewood) where you can learn how to keep your children safe around water through fun, hands-on activities. Whether it's the community swimming pool, a nearby lake or reservoir, or the hot tub in your back yard, parents need to be vigilant over their children to ensure their safety.
There are activities for people of all ages! A Memory Concentration Game teaches older children the important rules of being around water, including always swimming with a buddy, walking near a pool, swimming only with an adult, and wearing a life jacket. Adults learn how to help someone who is drowning and the little folks learn the importance of wearing a life jacket.
Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death for children in the United States between the ages of 1 and 14. Sadly, for every child drowning, there are 11 near drownings, many of which result in brain damage. Many parents rely upon the false security that it could never happen to their family, but more often than we think this tragedy can hits close to home. In fact, 69% of kids who have drowned have had one or both parents within arms reach, often occurring in the family pool.
Visit the new Home Safety parent activity to learn how to make your home safer. Information includes poison prevention, window safety, smoke alarms and more! Test your knowledge by spinning the wheel and win a prize!
Invest in your family's safety and join us at the 2008 West Metro Fire Rescue's Family Fire Muster, on June 14, 9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., at Red Rocks Community College. Please note that for the safety of our participants, pets are not allowed!
Visit westmetrofire.org or call 303-989-4307 for more information!
West Metro Fire Rescue's Family Fire Muster is brought to you by St. Anthony Central Hospital, with help from Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Wal-Mart, Foothills Credit Union, Rocky Mountain PBS, FOX 31 and YourHub.com.
Kristen Perry - West Metro Fire Rescue - Community Outreach Division