Proclamation

Whereas, Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children ages 1 to 14; and

Whereas, In 2003, 782 children ages 14 and under died as a result of unintentional drowning; and

Whereas, More than half of drowning among children ages 1 to 4 are pool-related; and

Whereas, In 2004, more than 3,700 children ages 14 and under were treated in hospital emergency rooms for unintentional drowning-related incidents; and

Whereas, Childhood drowning and near-drowning can happen in a matter of seconds; and

Whereas, As many as 20 percent of near-drowning survivors suffer severe, permanent neurological disability, and

Whereas, Other risks in the pool, hot tub and spa environment include body entrapment, hair entanglement and evisceration/disembowelment; and

Whereas, From 1985 to 2004, 34 children ages 14 and under died as a result of pool and hot tub entrapment, forty-one percent were hair related entrapments; and

Whereas, Form 1985 to 2004, more than 130 children ages 14 and under were injured as a result of pool and hot tub entrapment; and

Whereas, Safe Kids Worldwide, in partnership with founding sponsor Johnson & Johnson, will launch a swimming pool, hot tub and spa safety initiative called “Safe Pools for Safe Kids” to protect children from drowning, entrapment, entanglement and evisceration risks; and

Whereas, Safe Kids New Jersey, led by the New Jersey State Safety Council, will hold local community outreach events during Safe Kids Week 2006 to promote “Safe Pools for Safe Kids”.

Whereas, Citizens throughout New Jersey will hear the important message of Safe Kids Week 2006 to promote a safe pool, hot tub and spa environment by the use of fences/barriers, door alarms, pool alarms and drain covers.

Whereas, Safe Kids Week 2006 includes a nationwide public education campaign and the release of a research report about parents’ attitudes and behaviors around drowning prevention to assist in the overall mission of Safe Kids Worldwide and Safe Kids New Jersey; keeping kids safe.

NOW THEREFORE, I, Thomas J. Molnar do hereby proclaim May 6 – 13, 2006 as

NATIONAL SAFE KIDS WEEK

And call upon all the residents of West Amwell Township to join me in supporting the efforts and

activities of Safe Kids New Jersey to provide “Safe Pools for Safe Kids”.