Evanston families heading to pools and Lake Michigan beaches this summer can pick up a free Water Watcher Tag at Goldfish Swim School, 2008 Dempster St., as part of a statewide campaign to reduce child drowning deaths by designating one adult to supervise kids in the water with zero distractions.

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services announced the Water Watcher Tag campaign on Tuesday, July 15, in partnership with Lurie Children's Hospital and Safe Kids Illinois. DCFS Director Heidi Mueller said the agency plans to begin distributing tags along Chicago's lakefront beaches the week of Monday, July 21.

"If something happens, having someone designated to call 911 can really mean the difference between life and death," Mueller told ABC7 Chicago.

The concept is simple: one adult wears a lanyard tag and commits to keeping eyes on every child in or near the water. No phone. No book. No alcohol. The DCFS guidelines recommend rotating the watcher every 15 minutes, with the outgoing adult staying on duty until the tag is physically handed off.

Sara Mesnard, director of operations for RJ Group/Goldfish Swim Schools, called drowning "an epidemic" and noted it is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4, according to CDC data. Nationally, child drowning deaths rose from about 756 in 2019 to 865 in 2024, reversing a decades-long decline, according to the Associated Press.

The campaign arrives as Evanston's five guarded beaches along Lake Michigan are in peak season. The beaches opened Saturday, May 23, and remain staffed through Labor Day, Monday, September 1. The city's lakefront draws roughly 175,000 visitors each summer, according to a Patch report citing city recreation data.

Evanston earned certification from the United States Lifesaving Association in June for its beach safety operations. Sean Malloy, field chief of special operations for the Evanston Fire Department, said in a June 14 Patch report that the certification "reflects the dedication, professionalism, and hard work of our lakefront staff." Tim Carter, the city's lakefront and athletics manager, said Evanston is the only agency in Illinois to hold the USLA credential.

Free life jackets are available at all five Evanston swimming beaches.

The Water Watcher Tag can also be printed at home through dcfs.illinois.gov. Mueller said the goal is not to dampen summer fun but to assign clear responsibility.

DCFS will distribute tags at Chicago lakefront beaches starting the week of July 21.