Water safety program aims to inform West Elem. students

By Staff
Rebecca James, Franklin County Times
Retired TVA Volunteer Nancy Morris presented a water safety program to students at West Elementary on Wednesday.
She spoke with the students about basic rules that should be followed when you're around water, whether you are in a pool or on the river in a boat.
"It's very important for kids to learn about water safety." said Morris, "We try to teach them every year for the last six to seven years."
This was the first year for the program at West Elementary, and it couldn't have come at a better time following an accidental drowning of a 14-year- old in Phil Campbell Sunday.
Morris presented a water safety video to the children, and then discussed several of the rules discussed on the tape.
"Always make sure that you swim with a buddy in a supervised area." Morris told the students, "Swimming with a friend is not only fun but it is safe."
Morris also discussed the importance of following basic safety rules when you are near water.
"It's always smart to go by the rules." Morris told the students.
She also stressed the importance of wearing life jackets while boating.
"You always need to make sure you are wearing a life jacket while the boat is moving." Morris said, "A life jacket won't help you if it's not on you."
"You need to make sure to always wear a life jacket, just in case you get thrown off of a boat."
She also instructed the students on what to do in case a friend gets into trouble in the water, and urged them to never go in themselves to save someone.
"Never go into the water to save somebody; it's always best to throw them something so they can pull themselves out." Morris said, "It's dangerous to go in there after them because you both could drown."
Morris presented her program all day to the students.