Texas Sees Alarming Number of Child Drownings

Summer officially arrives Sunday, but Texas children are already drowning at an alarming rate.

At least 50 children of varying ages have already drowned this year.

Texas set a record last year with 82 drownings, the highest since the state began keeping track in 2005. The average number of drownings each year is 70.

"Each of these tragedies could have been prevented, simply by not leaving children alone, either in water or near water," said Sasha Rasco, of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

This year's drowning deaths have typically occurred in the outdoors, in swimming pools, bayous, and ponds, but children also have drowned in bathtubs and a hot tub.

The YMCA has been teaching kids how to swim for generations.

"I think if they start out in the water young it helps them just to get more used to it be more comfortable in the water and I just want them to be safe," said Lynn Haten, mother of 2 and 3-year-old girls. "The number one thing is to never take your eye off of them whenever you're around the pool area."

Most young children who drowned in pools were last seen in the home, had been out of sight less than five minutes, and were in the care of one or both parents at the time.

"Children should never be left unsupervised for any length of time in or around water, because the results can be devastating in a matter of minutes. If you can't see them, you can't save them," said Rasco.

For more information about children and water safety you can visit the "See & Save" Web site.
 

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