Drowning incidents are dramatically on the rise locally and statewide. Parents whose children have drowned say the day of the tragedy started out just like any other day. No matter how the drowning happened or where it happened — pool, spa, or any other body of water — one thing was the same, the seconds that claimed their child’s life slid by silently, without warning, it happens just like that and can never be brought back. Drowning is Preventable reminds Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.
Children drown without a sound. Drowning is a quiet event. There is no splashing, no screaming, and no noise at all. What can you do to prevent drowning incidents?
Follow the ABC’s of water safety: A = Adult Supervision. Assign an adult Water Watcher to keep their eyes on the water at ALL times. B = Barriers such as fences, self-closing and self-latching gates, pool motion sensors, window and door alarms. C = Classes. Parents and Caregivers should take CPR and First Aid, and swimming courses that are available for both children and adults.
Take the water safety quiz at: redcross.org/prepare/disaster/water-safety/quiz and visit: poolsafely.gov for more drowning prevention and safety tips.
The same goes for adults. Learn how to swim, and NEVER swim alone!
Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna
