South Carolina Statehouse Blog

Bi-partisan resolution declares May “Water Safety Month”

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – The South Carolina House of Representatives declared May as “Water Safety Awareness Month” in an effort to educate the public about the dangers of drowning before our long, hot summer begins.

The resolution encourages school districts to recognize Water Safety Awareness Month before students go home in a few weeks for their summer breaks.

“People all across our state will head to pools, lakes, rivers, and the ocean in a few weeks,” said Rep, Wendell Gilliard, D-Charleston. “It’s a rite of summer for everybody. Accidents in the water happen quickly and have devastating consequences. It’s important people keep safety in mind – even when they’re having fun.”

Drowning is the leading cause of death for infants and young children in eighteen states. Nationally, drowning ranks second only to automobile accidents, claiming the lives of approximately four thousand children each year and leaving another twelve thousand with some form of permanent brain damage.

“Drowning is a tragedy that knows no boundaries of age, race, income, or gender,” said Speaker Harrell. “We have far too many drowning tragedies in this state each year, and even as our weather warms up this month, we’ve seen these tragedies begin. Fortunately, with some simple precautions, drowning is preventable – especially among children.”

Just this week, a North Carolina man died from drowning on Lake Hartwell in Oconee County.

The resolution will be forwarded immediately to school districts across our state.