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DCF Launches Campaign To Address Child Drownings

TAMPA (CBSMiami/AP) – With almost year-round summertime temperatures in South Florida, and plenty of swimming pools, it may not come as a surprise that drowning is one of the leading causes of death for children under the age of four in the state.

The statistic has prompted Department of Children and Families' campaign, which launches Wednesday in Tampa, encouraging water safety for the summer.

DCF's message is geared to mostly parents and caretakers: keep your eyes on your kids at all times when they have access to water.

The campaign will also focus on the importance of swimming lessons and providing resources so more children have access to lessons.

Florida officials estimate more than two dozen child drowning deaths have been called into the Florida abuse hotline since January.

(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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