(Las Vegas NV) April 20, 2023 Float Like A Duck will celebrate two decades of sharing water safety. Paragon Pools President Joseph M. Vassallo founded Float Like A Duck as part of Paragon Pools’ philanthropic efforts with the mission of Education of the public about the importance of water safety and celebrating the joys in water sports!
The water safety initiative, which has messages in both English and Spanish, was launched in 2003. Since then, it has reached many milestones including hosting in-person events and publishing a coloring book on water safety. It also released numerous PSA videos about water safety and created its own water safety mascot, Duckie. Float Like A Duck also sponsors the Nevada Desert Mermaids artistic swim team and provides funding for free lessons in swimming for youths at risk.
The unique, positive and family-friendly message of Float Like A Duck has made it an attractive platform that others can embrace and spread in their communities. People and organizations of all backgrounds have donated their time and energy to participate in the video production, present at events and/or allow their likeness to be included in the water safety coloring books. The media also finds Float Like A Duck a fun and educational storyline to use in their news stories.
Vassallo says, “Water sports and the bath are a part of everyday life, whether in a lake or pool, the bath or the beach. The Float Like a Duck program aims to provide the whole family with the necessary water safety knowledge, techniques, and prevention measures in order to make every experience enjoyable.
The 20 th anniversary celebration focuses on improving the online presence of initiatives by providing information, tips and videos to consumers, non profit organizations and other water safety advocates. The site is constantly updated with new content. A common theme is to enforce the ABC&D of water safety.
Each video on YouTube offers a unique view of water safety. Several are in Spanish. Vassallo says that water safety is not limited to the pool. “We brainstorm every year on different ways we can spread the message of water safety,” he says. Some of the videos are aimed at situations or elements that parents may not think are a risky environment for their children.
It is our goal to inform families about the steps they can do to keep their children safe. We will bring attention to certain situations and provide them with proactive safety tips to ensure that they live a fun and safe lifestyle. The month of May is National Water Safety Month. However, we want to make sure that the public is aware of water safety throughout the summer swimming season and the whole year.
The Float Like A Duck Team encourages families to use the Float Like A Duck website, downloadable coloring books, and videos together as a unit. They then discuss each element so that everyone, including grandparents, teenagers, and children, can appreciate water-centric activities and learn how to be safe. The Float Like A Duck materials can be used to discuss water safety with a babysitter, au pair, or caregiver.
The National Drowning Prevention Alliance, National Water Safety Congress, National Drowning Prevention Alliance, and Kix brooks, Kidde Hero of Week, have all recognized the award-winning national program. The videos were also recognized for their content and production. Since 2021, Float Like a duck/Paragon Pools have received three grants from the PHTA step Into Swim Foundation. The funds will be used to fund free swimming lessons in the Las Vegas Valley for youths at risk. The City of Las Vegas will receive the 2023 Grant to use in their swimming lesson programs.
Float Like A Duck has been an official partner with the PHTA National Water Safety Month and the USCPSC Swimming Pool Safely programs. Vassallo is also a founding member of the Southern Nevada Child Drowning Prevention Coalition. The Float Like a Ducks message was physically transmitted across the US border in 2021 and 2022, when packets of coloring books on water safety were given to Cabo San Lucas Fire Department – Fire Chief Juan A Carabajal Figueroa, for his community.
Over the past 20 years, thousands of people have learned how to float and save their lives. The program partners include the City of Las Vegas and Clark County as well as the City of Henderson & Rad Tad Travels. First responders Las Vegas Metro and LV Metro Volunteer Police & Mascot McGruff as well as the Nevada Highway Patrol and Las Vegas Fire & Rescue have also been involved.
You can find more information about water safety on our website, on social media and on YouTube. https://www.paragonpoolslv.com/float-like-a-duck
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