Drowning matters every day, not just every May

‘NOT ON MY WATCH’

Drowning injuries and fatalities are so commonplace that the stories could fill up whole newspapers.

The CDC estimates that about 10 people die from drowning in the U.S. every day.

Children ages 1 through 4 have the highest drowning rates and most of those drownings happen in home swimming pools.

Drowning events are real, tragic, frequently preventable,and much more than just statistics.

There are measures that service technicians can take to promote drowning awareness.

Speak to parents about removing toys and other temptations from the pool area.

Encourage parents to learn about the layers of protection:pool covers, gates and alarms.

Remind parents there is no substitution for total supervision around the pool area.

Service professionals are in peoples’ backyards every day, and in a unique position to point out danger areas, but may not do so unless the drowning problem is brought home to them.

To that end, the following is a description of just some of the drowning incidents that have recently occurred.

Blackhawk, California, February 12 —

31-year-old Llaneth Chavez of Hollister and her 4-year-old daughter, died after drowning.

When deputies arrived to help the woman they found out her child, who had also been in the pool, was already enroute to San Ramon Regional Medical Center. Both were pronounced dead at the hospital. The Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department is continuing its investigation to unravel the circumstances that led to the drowning of Chavez and her daughter.

Anna Maria, Florida, February 14 —

A2-year-old boy’s prognosis is now positive after he was rescued from a swimming pool at a vacation rental.

His mother lost track of him while attending to a cable service provider and found him in the pool. She began CPR, 911 was called, and the boy was transported to the hospital. According to the report, the child’s condition is improving.