** MEDIA ALERT **

WHAT:
To raise awareness about the importance of water safety and to prevent drowning accidents from occurring this summer, Norwalk’s All American Custom Pool & Spas has teamed up with the Stew Leonard III Children’s Charities foundation in an effort to educate the public on pool and spa safety issues.

Their initiatives will be announced at a press conference during which Mayor Richard Moccia will proclaim May 31 – June 6 as Pool & Spa Safety Week.

WHO:

• Norwalk Mayor Richard Moccia to read the proclamation for Pool & Spa Safety Week
• John C. Romano, President & CEO All American Custom Pools & Spas, announces an educational initiative his store is conducting during Pool & Spa Safety Week
• Stew Leonard, Jr., founder of the Stew Leonard III Children’s Charities, talks about local initiatives taking place at the YMCA of Norwalk
• Michael Garcia, Senior Director of the YMCA of Norwalk and 30 of his preschool swim students will be on hand
• Costumed character Stewie the Duck will make an appearance to hand out special gifts for the children

WHEN:

Friday, May 30, 2008

11:00 AM - 11:30 PM

WHERE

YMCA of Norwalk pool area

370 West Avenue Norwalk, CT

WHY:
Drowning is the number one cause of accidental death in children under five and half of all drowning incidents occur in June, July and August. Moreover, for every one child who dies in a drowning accident, approximately four more are hospitalized for near-drowning, many of whom wind up severely brain damaged.

More than 80 percent of drownings for children between the ages of 0-4 occur at residential swimming pools. More than 50 percent of these drownings take place in the child’s home pool, and about 33 percent occur at the pools of friends, neighbors or relatives. Approximately 75 percent of drownings occur under a brief lapse of parental supervision, usually less than five minutes.

MEDIA CONTACT: Meghan Flynn, Stew Leonard III Children’s Charities
203.750.6107, mflynn@stewleonards.com