PPL Montana Water-Safety Poster Contest
Swim with friends. Never stand in a canoe. Stay out of the water in a storm. And always, always wear a life jacket when boating or swimming in a lake or river.
Through PPL Montana's annual water safety poster contest, third-, fourth- and fifth-graders give advice that can save lives in a state where drowning is a leading cause of death among children ages 14 and younger.
The contest is a fun, hands-on learning activity to teach students the importance of being safe around the water. And based on national statistics, it’s a lesson that none of us should take for granted. Since there is a water-related fatality for every 3,500 registered boats in Montana (five times the national average), we all need to learn more about how to stay safe around water.
Because our power plants are located near major rivers in the state, we have an interest in the safety of boaters, swimmers and fishermen. Often, accidents result from a lack of knowledge about the dangers around water. That’s where educators can make a dramatic difference by imparting an important and possibly lifesaving lesson to their students.
Each year we are delighted at the wonderful and creative posters we receive from students across Montana. Prizewinners are selected from each grade level and are featured in a special calendar that is distributed to schools, local officials, community leaders, legislators, educational leaders and PPL Montana facilities throughout the state.
Our hope is that the students’ work and the PPL Montana water-safety calendar will raise awareness and remind everyone to stay safe when enjoying Montana’s lakes, rivers and streams.
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