June 17, 2025

OTTAWA — Memorial Day means water and Cherie Sage, director of Safe Kids Kansas, said that parents should be especially watchful when it comes to kids and pools. Although municipal pools have trained life guards, they shouldn’t be expected to be baby-sitters, she said. And private pools represent a particular threat, she said. It doesn’t take long for children to drown and it can happen in a matter of seconds, she said. Often, when you have all of the adults at a pool watching the kids, none of the adults are watching the kids, she said. Aboard boats, state law and Coast guard regulations require kids to wear life jackets while they’re on a boat. Sage said ignoring the law can have more serious consequences than a fine, because statistics show that in most child drownings, the child wasn’t wearing a lifejacket. However, lifejackets and swimming proficiency are no substitute for close adult supervision, she said. Adults should also set a good example by wearing their own lifejackets on a boat, she said. With the Memorial Day weekend, area lakes will likely see a flood of boats and campers.
Tuesday, May 25, 7 a.m.

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