It doesn’t take long and it doesn’t take much. 

In the time it takes you to make a phone call or answer the doorbell, a child can drown – often in a bathtub, and often in as little as one inch of water.

In fact, drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children under the age of 5.

In an effort to help protect children from becoming potential drowning statistics, the Fullerton Fire Department is offering its popular “Watch the Water” drowning prevention program in which parents learn how to keep their children safe when around water.

“The stakes are really high when you’re talking about drowning prevention,” said Fire Capt. Mike Dillon, who coordinates the “Watch the Water” program for the Fullerton Fire Department. 

“Drowning is the leading cause of injuries and deaths for children under five in Orange County and throughout California.”

Dillon added that the drowning death rate “is only the tip of the iceberg.  Many more children are victims of near-drownings, which can result in permanent and severe injuries such as brain damage and long-term disabilities.”

The “Watch the Water” classes, which are taught by Dillon, are offered free to the public.  The classes offer information on drowning prevention, as well as advice on measures parents can take to make the areas around their swimming pools safer for children.

For further information and to schedule a class, call the Fire Prevention Division of the Fullerton Fire Department at (714) 738-6500.