Paw Patrol Safety First Water Campaign
Water safety is so important
When kids look at the water they see a fun time. This is also true for me but as a parent, and pool owner, I also see the other side. Water accidents are one of my worst fears. That is why I am a huge advocate of learning how to swim, taking CPR/first aid classes, and making sure if you have a pool or water feature near you that it is properly installed with safety features in place. When Nickelodeon sent me the below press release about their collaboration with Michael Phelps for a PAW Patrol Swim Safety PSA and toolkit I just knew I had to share. Let’s keep our kids safe and also teach our kids how to be safe in/around water. You can learn all about the PSA and toolkit below.
Nickelodeon and Michael Phelps-led Swim Safety PSA
The PSA, which features the PAW Patrol pups, as well as Phelps and his son Boomer, utilizes a sing-along format to teach the “ABCs and 123s of Swim Safety”, the core principles that will help adults kids keep safe as they try to beat the heat this summer with water-based activities. The ABCs for adults are: A – Adult Supervision – always be within arms distance of kids, providing focused supervision; B – Barriers – All pools should have a barrier for entry and a self-latching gate; and C – Classes that concentrate on swimming for kids and CPR for adults are an important way to make sure everyone feels safe and confident in the water.
The 123s of Swim Safety for kids are: 1 – Never swim alone. Ask a grownup if you want to jump in; 2 – Know your surroundings. Look around and know which is the shallow and deep end, and 3 – Take swimming classes. Learn basic swimming skills like floating and strokes before getting in the pool.
From Michael Phelps
“Water Safety has been a priority in my family since I was a child as my mom was adamant that my sisters and I learn to swim for safety purposes. The statistics around accidental drowning are alarming and we want to help educate and encourage families with a few basic tips in a fun and informative way. We want all kids to know the 123s of water safety – starting with never going to the water alone – and thanks to the support of the Michael Phelps Foundation, Nickelodeon and PAW Patrol, we can bring these important messages to the world with the help of the PAW Patrol pups and a fun, catchy song for families to sing along.”
PAW Patrol Swim Safety toolkit
In addition to the PSA, Nickelodeon has partnered with the Michael Phelps Foundation to develop an interactive PAW Patrol Swim Safety toolkit, currently available at www.nickelodeonparents.com/paw-patrol-water-safety-kit/. The toolkit includes printable activities caregivers and kids can complete together, to teach and reinforce the importance of water safety, such as: The Swim Safety Maze Challenge; Zuma’s Swim Safety Count and Color activity, which teaches kids the importance of blowing bubbles; and a water safety demo in the form of a game of ‘Show-see-do.”
About The Michael Phelps Foundation (MPF)
The Michael Phelps Foundation (MPF) is focused on promoting water safety, healthy living, and the pursuit of dreams, especially for children. Founded in 2008, the Foundation has provided learn-to-swim, healthy living, and goal-setting programming to children and young adults around the world through strategic partnerships with the Boys & Girls Club of America, Special Olympics International, and the Level Field Fund. For more information, please visit www.michaelphelpsfoundation.org.
