skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says rebuilding Baltimore's Key Bridge will be challenging and expensive. An Alabama Democrat flips a state legislature seat and former Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman dies at 82.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

"World's Largest Swimming Lesson" to Help Prevent Drowning

play audio
Play

Friday, June 24, 2016   

ALTOONA, Iowa – Swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88 percent among children aged one to four.

To cap off Drowning Prevention Week, the Iowa Department of Public Health is offering the World's Largest Swimming Lesson today in Altoona, as part of a nationwide program.

"They'll do some basic things like blowing bubbles in the water, front float, back float, how to get in the water properly, how to get out of the water properly,” explains Debbi Cooper, a senior environmental specialist for the Iowa Department of Public Health. “It's very, very general. But we really hope to raise awareness about the importance of swimming lessons."

Cooper says her department is hoping to help break the record by being one of many lesson locations across the U.S.

The World's Largest Swimming Lesson begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Altoona Campus Aquatic Park.

Besides learning to swim, Cooper says everyone, regardless of age, needs to know the importance of “watch, learn, wear,” when it comes to drowning prevention.

"Watch your children at all times when they're around any type of open water,” she cautions. “Learn CPR and first aid and then always remember to wear your life jacket when you're around open bodies of water."

Cooper says, fortunately, no one in Iowa has drowned in a swimming pool so far in 2016. However, no matter where you're swimming, she says it's critical to keep little ones nearby.

"Always watch your children around water,” she stresses. “For toddlers, keep them at arm's length."

Cooper says there've been a few dozen drownings this year in Iowa in ponds, lakes and rivers that could have been prevented.





get more stories like this via email

more stories
A report from the Tennessee HealthCare Campaign recommended the federal government needs to strengthen 340B drug pricing and other federal negotiation mechanisms to make needed medicines more readily available and less expensive for hospitals to purchase and administer. (Spotmatikphoto/AdobeStock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

A recent report examined how some rural Tennessee hospitals have managed to stay afloat despite financial challenges. The report includes interviews …


Social Issues

play sound

Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …

Social Issues

play sound

Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…


Nearly 13 million Americans receive health coverage through unique plans under both Medicare and Medicaid. They are known as Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans. (Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Medicare and Medicaid are key sources of health coverage for many Americans and some people qualify for assistance under both programs. With lagging …

Social Issues

play sound

A mix of policy updates and staffing boosts has helped to put wage theft enforcement on the radar in Minnesota, and officials leading the efforts are …

More than six in 10 Americans favor keeping the abortion pill mifepristone available in the U.S. as a prescription drug, while over a third are opposed, according to a Gallup poll. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

New research shows more than six in 10 abortions in the U.S. last year were medically induced, and U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto - D-NV - is …

Social Issues

play sound

Colorado is working to boost the state's agricultural communities by getting more fresh, nutritious foods into school cafeterias - and a new online …

Social Issues

play sound

Missouri lawmakers are concerned with protecting people from the potential risks of the increasing accessibility of AI-generated images and videos…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021