North Texas has seen a staggering number of child drowning deaths this year.
Right now, Tarrant County leads the state in child drowning deaths with 14 this year.
Cook Children's Medical Center reports 26 non-fatal incidents in the month of June, double from a year ago.
"We hear at every single drowning case, the supervisor, the parents or the person supposed to be watching say, 'I only turned away for two seconds,'" says Matt Zavadsky, public information officer with MedStar.
MedStar responded to 10 near-drownings and drownings during June. The common denominator in all, according to officials is a lapse in supervision.
"Someone at that community pool, at that apartment pool, has to be designated to be watching that
water all the time," says Zavadsky.
"Nobody thinks it's going to happpen to them or to their kids. It is real and it is happening way too often in our community," he adds.
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It's a reality Flower Mound resident Lori Johnson experienced last summer.
She and her family had taken several precautions to keep their children safe in the backyard pool.
They installed a pool net, additional backdoor locks and had just enrolled her 3-year-old daughter in swim classes.
It all still didn't prevent the incident that nearly killed Jessica last August during a day in the pool.
Jessica took off her floatie, a puddle jumper, to use the indoor restroom, but slipped out of the house afterwards, unnoticed, and into the swimming pool, where her siblings and friends were swimming.
Her parents were outside, as well, standing near the pool, but had turned away to answer the calls of another child.
In seconds, Jessica went underwater and to the bottom of the pool.
"I got right here and I looked into the pool right down where those black drains are. She was face down in the pool. I'll never forget the way she looked, her blonde head, her bathing suit with her pink and brown polka dots, perfectly still, no movement." said Lori.
Lori immediately pulled her out and began CPR. Doctors told her the CPR likely saved Jessica's life.
"You've got to take this seriously. It's not a place where you can have a drink and think you can also watch your kids. It's not a situation where you think you can have on your cell phone and also watch your kids because it can happen that fast," said Lori.
Tips for Safe Swimming This Summer
- Bring a buddy: don't swim alone even at public pools or lifeguarded beaches.
- Never leave young children unattended near water and never trust a child's life with another child.
- Establish a Water Watcher to supervise children in the water. This person should NOT be reading, using a smartphone or otherwise distracted.
- Young children and inexperienced swimmers should always wear U.S. Coast Guard-Approved life jackets.
- Establish rules, and always enforce them. Don't let children play around drains or suction fittings. Also, don't let children have breath-holding competitions.
- Don't assume children will use good judgment around water.
- Store and secure small toys away from the water when not in use so they don't attract a small child.
- Be aware: Cold temperatures, currents, and jagged rocks at rivers and lakes can make water dangerous.
- Always wear a life jacket on a boat. Most boating fatalities occur from drowning.
- Don't drink and swim. Alcohol impairs balance, coordination, and judgement.
- Sign up for swimming lessons if you've never had them.
- Always swim in areas supervised by lifeguards where available.
- Learn how to perform CPR on adults and children.
CPSC’s Pool Safely campaign is urging parents and kids to go to take the Pool Safely Pledge before they go in or near the water.
(Source: Red Cross, CPSC)
Water Safety Tips for Inside the Home
- Never leave small children alone near any container of water.
- Keep bathroom doors closed and secure toilet lids with lid locks.
- Never leave a baby alone in a bath for any reason. Get what you need before running water, and take the child with you if you must leave the room.
- Warn babysitters or caregivers about the dangers of water and emphasize the need to constantly supervise young children.
- Make sure small children cannot leave the house through pet doors or unlocked doors to reach pools or hot tubs.
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