F O R   I M M E D I A T E   R E L E A S E

For more information:
Tiffaney Isaacson, 480.292.8774 (office), 480.510.0965 (cell)
Rob Price, Director of Marketing (Media calls): 602.243.8030

Maricopa County has seen a roller-coaster ride of child drowning rates in the last twenty years: from nearly thirty in a single year, to ten in 2006.  Last year, 14 children drowned in Maricopa County.  While Arizona remains a top state for drowning fatalities, we’ve made remarkable progress.

Today, drowning remains a real risk for children, and warmer weather brings a significant increase in the number of incidents.  Safety experts resolve to address the issue at the Valley of the Sun’s official kickoff to swimming season: Valley Toyota Dealer’s Water Safety Day, also presented by SRP Safety Connection.  More than 1200 first grade students from around the Valley will attend, as part of a seven-week learning process, beginning and ending with curriculum lessons in the classroom.  This year, the ninth annual Water Safety Day will be on Tuesday, March 25, 2008, at South  Mountain Community  College, 7050 S. 24th Street, from 9 am to 1:30 pm.

The effort is organized by Water Watchers at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, and has grown in reputation and community support to become well-known throughout the United States.  Phoenix Fire Department will act as the hosting department, providing significant assistance and support, and Mesa  Community College will continue to provide assistance to the effort.

This one-of-a-kind celebration of water safety has an abundance of strong visuals and activities, including:   

• Water safety shows, in the crystal blue waters of our heated swimming pool, featuring Dara Torres, the fastest female swimmer in America and nine-time Olympic medalist
• Special Build-A-Reminder workshops with La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries, which will allow children to take home crafty reminders of the lessons they’ve learned
• A high-energy singing firefighter show, a fascinating magic and puppetry show, and a large Kid Zone carnival area
• The Valley’s most unified display of public safety support in the form of fire trucks, helicopters, and ambulances

Early morning media opportunities are available, and special guests, including local sports figures and celebrities, often attend.  To see the curriculum used by the children, search for “Water Watchers” on the Phoenix Children’s Hospital website.

Please note:  Due to the size of the event, we will be credentialing members of the press.  Please provide us with the number of people from your organization who will attend in advance, so we can have your credentials on hand.

Phoenix Children’s Hospital is Arizona’s leader in pediatric care and is one of the 10 largest free-standing children’s hospitals in the nation. The most comprehensive array of pediatric specialists in the State practice at this one organization. The outstanding clinical expertise, as well as high patient volume, and an unwavering commitment to caring only for children, all contribute to Children’s leadership position. For information about Phoenix Children’s, visit the Hospital’s website at www.phoenixchildrens.com.