RivCo Health Officials Promote Water Safety Ahead Of Memorial Day

RIVERSIDE, CA — In an effort to prevent drowning and promote water safety as Memorial Day approaches, county health officials reminded the public Thursday to stay alert and be safe around any body of water, especially with children involved.

According to data from the California Department of Public Health, there were 430 emergency department visits for drowning and submersion injuries among people under 18 in the county between 2020 and 2024, with roughly 84 percent of those cases involving children under five years of age. Additionally, there were 24 reported drowning deaths within the same time period, with 19 of those deaths being children under 5.

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"People often think of drowning as a dramatic event where there's a lot of flailing and splashing, but really what we see is it can be a silent event. Watching the water is key to knowing when someone is in trouble," Dr. Michael Mesisca, department chair of emergency medicine at Riverside University Health System, said in a statement.

Heath officials recommend the following tips to prevent drowning- related incidents:

— Have training in CPR, basic first aid and rescue methods;

— Assign a "water watcher" whenever people get close to water and never allow anyone to swim alone;

— Avoid consuming alcohol and medications that influence judgment, balance and the ability to swim;

— Enroll children in swim lesson with a certified instructor, and

— Wear life jackets whether on or near natural water sources.

Additionally, there are numerous educational resources throughout the county to learn about water safety, officials said.

The Mecca Community Center will host a Mecca Splash Water Safety Fair from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. June 12 at 62-250 Coahuilla St. The free fair will provided local residents with information on water safety by multiple organizations and county departments.

First 5 Riverside sponsors swimming lessons for children as young as six months old up to five-years- old.

"Every parent and caregiver deserves to know there are simple steps they can take before a child is even in danger," said Charna Whidby, executive director at First 5.