As temperatures rise across Illinois and families head to pools, lakes, beaches and splash pads to stay cool, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is reminding caregivers to use a simple life-saving strategy to help keep children safe around water: designate a Water Watcher. This summer, Illinois DCFS launched its Water Watcher initiative in partnership with Safe Kids Illinois and the Ann & Robert Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago to help families strengthen supervision around water. The designated Water Watcher commits to:

• Remaining in constant visual contact with all children in or near water.

• Remaining by the water unless relieved by another Water Watcher.

• Not looking at phones or other devices, consuming alcoholic beverages or socializing.

• Calling 911 in an emergency.

To download Water Watcher tags and learn more water safety tips, visit the DCFS Water Safety webpage: dcfs.illinois.gov/for-families/safety/water-safety.html.