Nassau County says when it comes to water, make it a safe summer

A wave of high heat on Long Island means more people in the water to keep cool — but Nassau County is reminding beachgoers and pool lovers alike: also keep an eye on small children and others at risk of drowning.

Among the speakers Monday at a news conference on water safety was a man familiar to Long Islanders for his cheery disposition on television spots, but on this day he told a story of personal loss to underscore the need to stay safe this summer.

"You have to have a designated watcher," said Stew Leonard Jr., the president and CEO of the Stew Leonard’s supermarket chain.

Leonard's son, Stew III, a toddler back in 1989, fell into a pool and drowned.

"My little boy, who was about 2 years old, just slipped away," Leonard said. "He was chasing a balloon, he went in there [the pool] and bang. It happens in two or three minutes."

The water safety warning comes as the stifling summer heat means backyard and public pools are being put to good use. 

From Long Beach to Montauk, the beaches also can provide relief from heat inland.

The summer months are also the most dangerous, when 80% of drownings take place, Dr. Irina Gelman, the Nassau County health commissioner, said Monday.

Children ages 1 to 4 are more likely to die from drowning than any other cause, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Last year, Nassau reported two fatal drownings. 

"It only takes a second to lose a precious one’s life," Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said at the news conference near Wantagh Park's public swimming pools.

"If you have a pool," Blakeman added, "do not leave your child for one second unattended."

Following the loss of Stew III, the Leonard family created the Stew Leonard III Water Safety Foundation, which has raised millions of dollars for water safety and awareness, and regularly provides free swimming lessons to children in low-income communities, according to the foundation's website.

"We just wanted to tell parents out there of 1 to 5-year-olds," Leonard said, "put that cellphone down, and watch your kids vigilantly when you’re around the pool."