Summer fun is here and that means water fun.  Governor Rauner proclaimed May as Childhood Drowning Prevention Month in Illinois.  George Sheldon, Acting Director of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services says, “The public can help DCFS draw attention to this very preventable issue and together we can save lives.”  In 2014, 24 Illinois children under the age of 18 lost their lives due to accidental drowning: 13 in pools, 4 in ponds, 3 in lakes, 2 in bathtubs, 1 in a river and 1 in a large bucket.  Nine of the children who drowned in pools were under the age of five.  Self-closing, self-locking gates, alarms and other types of warning sensors can go a long way in protecting children.  Toddlers have also been known to drown in large buckets used in home improvement projects so it is extremely important to empty buckets and turn them over when they are not in use.  “The American Red Cross, in partnership with other community organizations across Illinois, offers a variety of water safety classes and swimming lessons that can save a child’s life,” said Bryan Soady, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Serving South Central Illinois.  “We also recommend that caregivers learn CPR and keep rescue equipment, a telephone and emergency numbers nearby.”  More water safety tips are available at redcross.org/watersafety.