The City of El Cajon is hosting a FREE April Pools Day event to help kick of May as National Drowning Prevention Month on Friday, April 21, from 4:00 to 6:00p.m. at Fletcher Hills Pool.

Drowning is the leading cause of injury death among children between the ages of 1 to 4 years and nearly 4,000 Americans drown each year. A study published in Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine found statistical evidence that children that participated in swim lessons had an 88% reduced risk of drowning.

"Living so close to the beach, we want children to learn to swim and parents to learn how to keep their family safe around water," said Frank Carson, Director of Parks & Recreation. "The City of El Cajon is proud to offer a full range of aquatic programs to our community."

Participants can learn about water safety, sun safety tips, or partake in mini CPR lessons. The event will feature free swimming, a bag filled with activities (one per family), and crafts.

No registration is required for this event. Children, ages seven and under, must be accompanied by an adult and within arm's reach while the child is in the water or on the pool deck. For more information, please contact Dominic Mangiapane at (619) 441-1672.