‘Water Watcher’ tags can help keep your kids safe while swimming

DUVAL COUNTY, Fla. — According to the Florida Department of Health, Duval County was sixth across the state in the number of children dying from drowning in 2020.

The First Coast Child Protection Team is therefore distributing free kits to local families to help save kids’ lives.

The team’s program coordinator, Vicki Whitfield, says kids 12 and younger are at a higher risk.

“We’re at risk of losing them,” she said.

Whitfield emphasizes the key here is adult supervision — so they have what’s called a Water Watcher tag (there is also one in Spanish that reads Vigilante del Agua), which gives everyone a clear idea of which adult is responsible for watching kids in the water.

We took the tools inside their free swimming safety kit, like the Water Watcher safety tag and an educational kids’ book titled “Josh the Baby Otter,” and we gave them to Emily Sasser and her 10-year-old daughter Coral Sasser.

“So, what do you think about these tools?” Action News Jax’s Jessica Barreto asked.

“Oh, I think it’s great,” Emily said. “I think it would be helpful for more people to learn about water safety.”

Emily knows to be alert when her daughter is swimming.

“I always make sure to keep my eye on [the kids]” she said. “Or have somebody keeping their eye on them.”

And although Coral actually learned to surf before she could swim, she also makes sure there’s someone watching.

“Why do you think having an adult around is so important?” Action News Jax’s Jessica Barreto asked.

“Because if I were to start to drown or get held under or something, then they could come,” Coral replied.

Emily, who’s a teacher, thinks these visual tools are important in teaching others, and she plans to incorporate the book into her classroom.

While first responders already have these tools to hand out to families, they are also available for parents to pick up.

There is also a colorful infographic poster available for businesses to display.

You can find these swimming safety tools at any local Florida Department of Health Clinic, Department of Children and Families office or the UF Health Child Protection Team office in Jacksonville (4539 Beach Blvd).

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