WATCHING THE WATER THIS SUMMER

Kern County Public Health has launched a new campaign to keep kids safe in the pool this summer.

Water Watcher is a free whistle adults can use to alert others that child is drowning, and Public Health Assistant Director Brynn Carrigan thinks it is needed because sometimes parents take their eyes off the pool.

The whistle can be picked up at department headquarters on Mt. Vernon Avenue in east Bakersfield.

Sixteen Kern County kids have drowned here in the past two years.

Kelli Forsch