GLVAR promotes summer safety campaign

The Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors and its more than 12,500 local members have a long history of helping homeowners and supporting good causes in Southern Nevada.

This summer, as part of its ongoing Realtors Care campaign, GLVAR is teaming up with the Southern Nevada Child Drowning Prevention Coalition (SNCDPC) to remind everyone in Southern Nevada to stay safe during the hot weather.

“We want people to know and follow the basic rules of summer safety,” GLVAR President Scott Beaudry said. “Drink lots of water. Wear sunscreen. Put on chap stick and wear cool, lightweight clothing. Don’t leave kids or pets in hot cars. And never let children out of your sight around a pool.”

Greg Blackburn, chairman of the SNCDPC, said drowning is a leading cause of unintentional death in Southern Nevada for young children. In many cases, he said drownings occur while a parent or another caregiver is home or nearby, with only a brief lapse in supervision. A child can drown in seconds. Constant adult supervision is essential to keeping children safe around any body of water. To prevent such tragedies, Blackburn said families should remember and follow these ABCDs:

• A = Adult supervision.

• B = Barriers for your pool.

• C = Classes, such as swim lessons and CPR training.

• D = Devices, such as personal flotation devices, life jackets and rescue tools.

The SNCDPC urges families to:

• Designate an adult who can swim to actively supervise children around water.

• Teach children to get out of the water if a supervising adult leaves the area.

• Hire a certified lifeguard for pool parties, beach barbecues or social gatherings around water.

• Maintain visual contact. Remain close to your child when in a pool, spa or bathtub.

Beaudry said GLVAR is encouraging its members and the public to know and share these summer safety tips. As part of its Community Pride partnership with local TV station KLAS-TV, GLVAR is also producing and airing public service announcements featuring Beaudry and Blackburn reminding viewers how to weather the heat and be safe around water.

“As someone who has worked in the local real estate industry all my adult life, I can tell you that Realtors truly do care about our community,” Beaudry said. “Partnering with community organizations like SNCDPC is just one way for us to demonstrate that and to do something which helps local families and local neighborhoods.”

For more information about pool safety and tips on how to stay safe during the summer, visit SNCDPC.org.

SNCDPC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing Southern Nevada’s high child drowning rate. On average, eight children have drowned each year in Southern Nevada since the year 2000. Most drowning victims were 4 years old or younger and the majority of the incidents occurred in residential swimming pools. SNCDPC’s goal is to educate citizens about the dangers bodies of waters pose to young children to ensure a safe environment for Southern Nevadans of all ages.

GLVAR was founded in 1947 and provides its more than 12,500 local members with education, training and political representation. The local representative of the National Association of Realtors, GLVAR is the largest professional organization in Southern Nevada. For more information, visit www.LasVegasRealtor.com. E-mail your real estate questions to ask@glvar.org.