‘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 prmote 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.
Valhalla, New York, September 1 —
Luke Dunn, a 5-year-old triplet, has returned home 11 months after a nearly dying of drowning in his family’s pool. He ad his siblings will get to start kindergarten together.
Colora,Maryland,September7—
A 3-year-old girl drowned in her family’s swimming pool.
Turlock, California, September 13 —
2-year-old Daniellé Pires drowned in a pool.
Decatur, Georgia, September 19 —
2½-year-old Poppy Pepper drowned in the Oakhurst Recreation Center swimming pool.
