Water Safety - Together We Can Prevent Drowning
Summer is finally here! The sun is shining, the mountains are out and after months of being cooped up, you may be yearning to launch into summertime activities. With seven beach parks, Bellevue is surrounded by an abundance of fresh (and refreshing) water. But before you dip your socially-distanced toes, or entire body, into lakes and pools, make sure you know the rules to keeping yourself and your loved ones safe.
Whether swimming in open water or a pool, it’s always important to wear a properly fitted, Coast Guard approved life jacket. Not only will life jackets help keep you afloat, they can aid in slowing the process of heat loss that leads to hypothermia. Choose beaches that have lifeguards on duty and stay in the designated swimming areas. Know your limits! Stay close to shore, stay sober and always assign at least one person in your party to be a water watcher: someone dedicated to putting their phone down and paying close attention to those swimming. Learn CPR. In the event you witness a drowning, performing CPR for the few minutes before first responders arrive can be the difference between life and death.
While drowning is a leading cause of death for children and teens, adults are not immune. On average, 3,500 people will drown in the United States each year. That’s about 10 deaths per day. It happens in the blink of an eye. One moment there’s splashing, laughter and play. The next is silence. The good news is, through diligence and safe practices, together we can prevent drowning.
To learn more about the water watcher program and download a useful app: https://www.nomoreunder.org/badge
A Fun Peek Into How We're Protecting Ourselves and Our Community
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many challenges to us and to our community. We continue to respond to all emergency calls and have made many adaptations to our protocols, both in the stations and on responses, to ensure the safety of our residents and our firefighters. Our commitment to those who serve has not wavered and neither have our spirits. Here we share a lighthearted view into some of the measures we have taken to minimize the risk the virus presents to us all.
We encourage all residents to remain calm yet diligent and informed by reading the City of Bellevue and Fire Department's daily COVID-19 updates.
On the Horizon: Fire Station 10
Please follow this link for more information.