Plantation, Fla. – Every year in Florida, too many children die as a result of unintentional drowning. Statistics show Florida leads the nation in the drowning rate of children younger than 4 years old.

In an effort to educate children and adults about ways to prevent accidental drowning, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) joined representatives from the Consumer Product Safety Commission and Baby Otter Swim School. The school’s program teaches children and senior citizens how to swim.

Joining them Tuesday were Dr. Peter Antevy with Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and pediatric emergency room nurse, Ginelle Millan, whose son nearly drowned at a family birthday party.

In 2007, Congress passed legislation introduced by Rep. Wasserman Schultz, the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Act, implementing layers of protection to help prevent childhood drowning. This historic legislation includes funding to educate the public, installers, local officials and consumers and to provide grants for states that pass laws requiring installation of fences around pools, drain covers to prevent hair and body entanglement and anti-entrapment devices or dual main drains.

To read more about how to pool safely, click here - http://www.poolsafely.gov/