Summer’s heat will draw children to cooling water, with them joyfully splashing about in pools and lakes.
However, there’s also danger. Two-thirds of drownings occur between May and August, and drowning is the leading cause of death among children ages 1 through 4.
Using information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Indiana Board of Health and National Drowning Prevention Alliance, Dr. Jennifer Bales, the county’s health officer, noted during the Board of Health’s June 9 meeting that drownings are quick — taking less than 30 seconds — and not always obvious.
“The danger is really beneath the water, and that’s completely silent,” Bales said. “And that’s why diligence is so important.”
Bales encouraged several safety measures: secure home pools with fencing, self-locking gates and alarms; designate a single adult to actively supervise swimmers; enroll children and adults in swim lessons; use U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets instead of floaties or water wings; learn CPR; keep a phone nearby to call 911; and avoid alcohol around water.
“If everyone is watching, then probably no one is watching, so there needs to be a designee, someone really in charge of this role,” Bales said.
Swim lessons are available through Richmond Parks and Recreation Department at Cordell Pool, through Earlham College, and through the YMCA in Preble and Randolph counties. CPR classes are available locally through the Wayne County Health Department, the Neighborhood Health Center and Reid Health.
Death certificates
Dan Burk, the health department’s director, said he’s drafting a policy for funeral homes requesting certified copies of death certificates.
The policy would require an email or office visit to fill out a form rather than a phone call, creating a written record for invoicing. Burk said funeral homes prefer not to pay by credit card and incur credit card charges.
Burk will continue considering whether invoicing is sufficient or if upfront payment should be required before returning to the board for approval.
Health record system
Burk told the board he’s exploring a switch in the county’s health record system.
MyVisit charges 10% of revenue and provides the record system, billing and credentialing necessary. The department pays Athena 11% plus $45 an hour for credentialing.
Burk said the MyVisit system is simplified and billing looks easy.
Other items
- Beth Newton, the clinical deputy director, said the health department is able to administer allergy shots. The department does not prescribe or provide medications but can administer shots.
- The health department will be at the Wayne County 4-H Fair from 3 to 8 p.m. daily to provide blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol screenings.
- Chad Kircher, the environmental deputy director, said the department has received only two complaints about any of the county’s 12 tattoo parlors. A tattoo and eyelash ordinance has been written if it’s deemed necessary.
- The board unanimously voted for the department to apply for a $25,000 emergency preparedness grant. This year’s $20,000 grant paid for training opportunities.
A version of this article appeared in the June 17 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.
