CHICAGO, May 27, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As part of its annual national water safety campaign, Phones Down, Eyes Up™, YMCA of the USA (Y-USA), the national resource office for the 2,600+ YMCAs across the country, is excited to announce a giveaway to encourage families to take the campaign’s Water Watcher pledge and stay focused when supervising children around water.
First launched in May of last year in conjunction with National Water Safety Month, the campaign aims to reduce distractions and increase awareness around the dangers of inattentive supervision at pools, lakes, and other bodies of water. According to the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, 88% of child drownings occur with at least one adult present. The Phones Down, Eyes Up message is simple: put down your phone and keep your eyes on the water.
To encourage participation in this life-saving action, the YMCA will send the first 1,000 people to sign the pledge a free Water Watcher lanyard.
“This campaign is about staying present and focused when it matters most,” said Lindsay Mondick, Director of Aquatics Strategy Y-USA. “Drowning can happen silently and in under 30 seconds, which is why even a quick glance at a phone can put a child at risk. This giveaway is a simple, engaging way to remind families of the critical role we all play in keeping kids safe around water.”
Families who take the pledge at PhonesDownEyesUp.org also receive valuable water safety resources, including digital reminders, downloadable Water Watcher lanyards, and monthly tips to keep loved ones safe this summer.
“We hope this giveaway sparks conversations and creates habits that save lives,” said Mondick. “Water safety is a shared responsibility, and we’re proud to support families in making simple changes that can make all the difference.”
To learn more, take the pledge, and enter the drawing, visit PhonesDownEyesUp.org.
About the Y
Driven by its founding mission, the Y has served as a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community for more than 175 years. 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. Learn more at ymca.org.
Contact:
YMCA of the USA
312-419-8418
media@ymca.net
Ashley Rubenstein
YMCA of the USA
media@ymca.net
