News Release Archive

Reclamation Otto Otter Safety Program Hits the Airwaves to Educate Children

Media Contact: Diana Cross, (208) 378-5020, 08/08/2006 08:13
David Walsh, dwalsh@pn.usbr.gov

For Release: August 08, 2006

As the summer temperatures continue to heat up throughout much of the Pacific Northwest, it brings with it the threat of children dying due to accidental drowning in the irrigation canals that pass through many communities in the region.

The Bureau of Reclamation and local irrigation districts want to reduce the chances of these tragic deaths. Reclamation has produced several 30-second public service announcements for television and radio stations that will target young children. The PSAs are designed to create better awareness of the dangers associated with playing in or around canals and ditches.

Reclamation's PSAs are in English and Spanish and feature the agency's canal safety mascot, Otto Otter. The PSAs will air in Bend, Oregon and Yakima, Washington television markets from August through most of September.

In Yakima, the PSAs will air on KNDU-23 NBC affiliate on Saturdays between 8:30-11:30 a.m.; Charter Cable on Nickelodeon, ABC Family, and Animal Planet on Mondays and Tuesdays between 4:00-8:00 p.m.; and on Telemundo & Galavision for Spanish speaking viewers.

The PSAs will air in Bend on KTVZ-21 NBC affiliate on Saturdays between 8:30-11:00 a.m.; Bend Cable on ABC Family and Animal Planet weekdays and Saturday mornings.

The PSAs and a coloring book may be viewed and downloaded from: www.usbr.gov/pn/about/otto/index.html. A revised bilingual coloring book is currently being developed.

For more information about the Canal Safety Program, contact Annette Ross at the Bureau of Reclamation, 1150 North Curtis Road, Suite 100, Boise ID 83706-1234 or (208) 378-5322.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.

Relevant Link:

http://www.usbr.gov/pn/about/otto/index.html