Local residents are invited to the Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida’s Kohl’s Center for Safety Program and Lee County Parks and Recreation for a free pool safety party on Saturday, March 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Lehigh Community Pool, at 1400 W. 5th Street in Lehigh. Promoters say you can learn ways to help your family stay safe while having fun in and around the swimming pool.

“In the state of Florida, we lose the equivalent of three classrooms of preschoolers to drowning each yea,” said Michele King, director of the Child Advocacy Program at The Children’s Hospital. “We must keep our children safe with layers of protection and constant adult supervision when they are in or near water.”

Drowning is the leading cause of death for children under age 5 in Florida and is 100 percent preventable. Just follow the safety tips below:

Never leave a child unattended in a pool or spa and always watch your child when he or she is in or near water.

Teach children basic water safety tips.

Keep children away from pool drains, pipes and other openings to avoid entrapments.

Have a telephone close by when you or your family is using a pool or spa.

If a child is missing, look for him or her in the pool or spa first.

Share safety instructions with family, friends and neighbors.