March 26, 2003

"WATCH YOUR KID,

You'll Be Glad You Did!"

Keith Hassen, MD was the speaker today from the Coral Springs Medical Center.  The quote above is the by product of a group from the hospital seeking to drastically reduce the number of deaths by drowning which occur each year in the South Florida area.  This is an educational program aimed at the parents and families with small children which is intended to create awareness of the problem and teach the families how to prepare their homes and children to prevent this tragedy.  Statistics show that the majority of drownings occur while the child was under the custody of a family member and usually in familiar surroundings.  The actual statistics are that 69% occur while the child was under the supervision of one or both parents, and 87% occur at pools owned by the child's family or relatives.  And 775 were seen 5 minutes or less before being missed and found in the pool.

We appreciate Dr. Hassen's informative presentation, and further appreciate the Coral Springs Medical Center for providing him as part of its speaker's bureau.