'Pool Smart' Art Competition Open to Elementary School Students

Attention young artists: local elementary students are encouraged to help spread the message about pool safety by participating in the upcoming “Be Pool Smart” poster contest.

Suffolk County Leg. Lou D’Amaro, D-Huntington Station, is encouraging students from Deer Park, Half Hollow Hills, Huntington, North Babylon and South Huntington elementary school to submit posters for this county-wide contest. 

“The ‘Be Pool Smart’ poster contest is a fun way to engage children in spreading the important messages about how a few simple steps and precautions can help us avoid tragedies around swimming pools,” D’Amaro noted.

Established in 2007, the competition invites elementary school students to promote the importance of pool safety by creating a poster that illustrates one or more safety tips. One poster is selected from all of those submitted to be used as part of a countywide message from the Suffolk County Department of Health Services in its seasonal safety campaign.

Last year, Deer Park student Juliana Gentile’s entry was the Suffolk County winner.  Initially, Juliana’s colorful and creative design was named District 17 winner and then was selected by the non-partisan Legislature’s Budget Review Office as the County winner.  Her winning design can currently be seen on the Suffolk County Department of Health Services Countywide brochure, and she was honored, along with her family and teachers, before the full Suffolk County Legislature at a General Meeting.  Each contest participant received a Certificate of Distinguished Achievement, presented to them at a ceremony at their respective schools.

The contest is open to all elementary school students.  Interested students should create a poster, no larger than 22” x 30”, with the title “Be Pool Smart.” It should creatively illustrate one of more the following ten safety tips:

Make sure children under five years of age are always within “arms reach” when in or near the water

Be watchful of all children at all times

Teach older children to always swim with a buddy

Never leave children of any age alone in or near the water

Remove steps and take toys away from the pool area when it is not in use

Remove the pool cover completely

Keep a first aid kit stocked and hear the pool

Teach children how to dial 9-1-1 and how to get help in an emergency

Learn to swim

Obtain CPR certification

The child’s name, age, grade, school and teacher’s name should be attached to the back of the poster and it can be dropped off at Legislator D’Amaro’s district office, 130 West Jericho Turnpike in Huntington Station. Deadline for submissions is Wednesday, April 23.  For more information or to get a copy of the current brochure, call Legislator D’Amaro’s office at (631) 854-4433.