16-year-old Boy Drowns in Pond at McKinney Golf Course

A 16-year-old boy drowned Tuesday night in a pond on a McKinney golf course, fire officials say. The McKinney Fire Department was called about 8 p.m. for a possible drowning at the golf course of the Stonebridge Ranch Country Club.Several teenagers had been swimming in one of the ponds when one started to struggle and went underwater, Fire Department spokeswoman Merit Ossian said. Firefighters searched the water and found the teen's body. His identity has not been released.Already this year, 45 children have drowned in Texas. Of those, 25 were in a backyard or community pool, two were in a pond and most were younger than 5, according to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Tips to help prevent drowning Learn to swim and teach your children. Actively supervise children around water, even if there's a lifeguard. Secure pools with appropriate barriers. Teach children to ask for permission to go near water. Remove floats and toys from the pool and surrounding area to avoid encouraging children to go near the water. Know how and when to call 911. Responding to a water emergency Learn CPR. If a child is missing, check the water first. If someone is in the water and needs help, reach or throw something out to them. Don't go in. If the drowning is in a lake, find a landmark where the victim went underwater that is not subject to wind or tides to speed the search process. Have rescue and first-aid equipment available, such as reaching or throwing tools, a cellphone and life jackets.Source: MedStar  Continue reading...