Join the National “Phones Down, Eyes Up™” Campaign This May
The Door County YMCA Encourages Families to Make Water Safety a Priority — Join the National “Phones Down, Eyes Up™” Campaign This May
Sturgeon Bay, WI — This May, in honor of National Water Safety Month, the Door County YMCA is proud to join YMCAs across the country in supporting the Phones Down, Eyes Up™ campaign, a national initiative from YMCA of the USA aimed at reducing distractions and promoting safe, attentive supervision around water.
Drowning is quick and silent — and often happens even when adults are nearby. According to the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, 88% of child drownings occur with at least one adult present. The Phones Down, Eyes Up campaign reminds families to put their phones away and keep their eyes on children whenever they are near pools, lakes, beaches, or any body of water.
“The Door County Y is excited to be part of this important national effort,” said Tonya Felhofer, CEO of the Door County YMCA. “People assume they’ll hear a splash or a call for help, but drowning is silent — and can happen in as little as 30 seconds. Looking away, even for a moment to check your phone, can make all the difference.”
As part of the campaign, the Door County YMCA is encouraging families to designate a “Water Watcher” — an adult whose only job is to actively supervise children around water, free from distractions like phones, conversations, or alcohol.
“We know distractions are part of everyday life, but when it comes to water safety, undivided attention is essential,” added Felhofer. “We’re committed to providing our community with the tools and resources to help prevent drownings and create safe, fun environments for everyone this summer.”
In addition to promoting the Water Watcher pledge, the Door County YMCA is also inviting local families to join in a fun Water Safety Coloring Contest throughout the month of May! It’s a creative way for kids to learn important safety tips and for families to start conversations about staying safe near water. Stop by our Welcome Center to pick up a coloring page.
The YMCA will also be sharing water safety tips all month long on its social media platforms, offering families helpful reminders and actionable advice to help prevent water-related accidents.
Families can learn more about the Phones Down, Eyes Up campaign and take the official Water Watcher pledge at PhoneDownEyesUp.org. Pledge participants will receive helpful resources including phone lock screen reminders, monthly safety tips, and printable Water Watcher lanyards.
For more information about the campaign, the Water Safety Coloring Contest, and how you can stay safe this summer, visit DoorCountyYMCA.org or follow the Door County YMCA on social media.
The Door County YMCA: For Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility. Driven by its founding mission, the Door County YMCA has 215 full and part-time staff serving over 12,060 members in Door County from facilities in Fish Creek and Sturgeon Bay in a broad range of programming for all ages. The Y empowers everyone, no matter who they are or where they’re from, by ensuring access to resources, relationships and opportunities for all to learn, grow and thrive. By bringing together people from different backgrounds, perspectives, and generations, the Y’s goal is to improve overall health and well-being, ignite youth empowerment and demonstrate the importance of connections in and across 10,000 communities nationwide.
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