With summer close at hand, Flagler County Emergency Services partnered with several county agencies and local organizations Saturday to get the word out to parents and children about water safety.

  • Annual 'WaterSafe' event came on the heels of two-year-old Palm Coast girl who drowned in a swimming pool last week
  • County agencies and emergency personnel provided instruction and demonstrations on CPR, swimming lessons, sun safety, survival, and more

Flagler resident Melissa Morreale encourages her children to get in the water. When they do, she said she tries not to let them out of her sight.

"What's going to happen if she grabs it and falls in or I'm not looking for a split second," said Morreale.

She said that's why teaching her small kids what to do and knowing how to react in a split second is crucial.

Flagler County Emergency Services' annual 'WaterSafe' event preaches the same message. During 'WaterSafe', experts were on hand to give out information to parents and children, as well as provide swimming lessons and demonstrations of CPR and other survival skills.

"We're hoping that we're getting the message out that people are going to start supervising their children, making sure they keep them away from water," said Fire Rescue Chief Don Petito. "But if they're going to allow them to go near water, teach them to swim, provide them the tools to be able to survive."

This year the annual event seems particularly timely, as it comes on the heels of a two-year-sold Palm Coast girl drowning in her family's pool last Saturday.

Also, the Florida Department of Children and Families reported on April 25 that 19 children had drowned since January.

By April 30, that number had gone up to 24.

"It really breaks my heart," said Morreale.

Morrealle said learning the skills can be frustrating for the kids, but is definitely worth it to prevent another tragedy.

"Giving them these resources to absolutely help them be safe. That's all that matters to me," said Morreale.