‘NOT ON MY WATCH’ - 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.

Deptford, New Jersey, July 25 —

A 5-year-old boy entered a backyard pool unnoticed by adults present and drowned. It wasn’t clear if the boy lived at the house.

Huntsville, Alabama, July 29 —

4-year-old Dean Lamb drowned at the Hampton House Pool Facility with lifeguards present.

Charlestown,Indiana,August1—

Police were investigating the drowning death of an 8-year-old child who was found unconscious in a swimming pool.

Tyler, Texas, August 6 —

16-year-old Keagan Wright was reported missing and was then found dead after officers responded to a drowning call.

Dover, Tennessee, August 8 —

A 54-year-old man was arrested in connection with the drowning death of his 3-year-old grandson in an inflatable swimming pool.

Memphis,Tennessee,August9—

A teenager was dead after drowning in an apartment complex pool. Residents of the complex say teenagers from around the area frequently jump the fence to access the pool.

Harrison Township, New Jersey, August 16 –

Two children – a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old who were related but not siblings were found unresponsive in a pool. The younger child was pronounced dead at the home and the older child was hospitalized in critical condition.

Wichita, Kansas, August 19 —

A 2-year-old child drowned in his home’s backyard swimming pool.

Whitney, Texas, August 20 —

A 14-year-old boy died after drowning at a pool at a Lake Whitney lodge.