Grand Prairie's city and school district leaders are making a series of videos highlighting the importance of water safety after a series of drownings this summer at Joe Pool Lake.
The videos are part of a year-long "Learn to Swim" initiative.
Superintendent Dr. Susan Simpson Hull hit the waves Friday morning with Grand Prairie's Chief of Police Steve Dye.
They hoped more people will pay attention to their important messages if they're out in the element.
"We can show everybody by example. Number one, you're going to have to learn how to swim if you're going to be out in the water, and then number two, be smart and wear your life jacket. That's why they call it a life jacket, because they save lives," said Chief Dye.
The school district is working with a number of city departments to create a series of promotional videos emphasizing water safety.
Chief Dye teamed up with the Parks and Recreation Department this summer to offer free life vests for visitors to borrow at the lake.
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"Unfortunately we had five drownings at the lake this summer. However that's down three. Last summer we had eight," said Chief Dye.
The Parks and Recreation Department also teamed up with GPISD to start a water safety imitative.
"This fall, we're going to start with basic water safety, where we teach the kids some ways to be safe around the pool and safe around the lake without actually getting in the water," said Dr. Simpson Hull.
She also said eight elementary schools will offer free swimming courses to all of their students.
"We led the nation I think in drownings this year in Texas with the heat, and we can't take any more chances on our kids not being safe," she said.
The videos will be made available online and throughout the city via public access channels.
