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.

Brevard County, Florida, October 6 —

A 2-year-old child was pronounced deceased 4 days after she was found unresponsive in the family’s swimming pool when she was playing outside unattended.

Broward County, Florida, October 12 —

A 2-year-old child was pronounced deceased 12 days after she was found in a swimming pool when she got out of the home undetected.

Riverside County, California, October 22 —

A 2-year -old boy and 2-yearold girl remain hospitalized after they were found unresponsive in a swimming pool. One was in critical condition, while the other was being held for observation.

Tupelo, Mississippi, October 22 —

A child of unknown age and gender drowned in a private swimming pool.

Washington Township, Pennsylvania, October 22 –

4-year-old Liam Vanderlee died at the hospital after drowning in a swimming pool during a birthday party.