Posted 8:25 pm Friday, June 26, 2009
Childrens' Drownings
Preventable Tragedies
Few tragedies are as preventable as a child drowning.
Yet, Texas is on track to surpass previous records in such drownings this year, with more than 53 recorded before summer officially began.
According to the Associated Press, the state set a record last year with 82 child drownings (the average is 70).
"Each of these tragedies could have been prevented, simply by not leaving children alone, either in water or near water," says Sasha Rasco of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
The nearest swimming hole is particularly attractive in a heat wave such as the one we're now sweating through. Officials note 80 percent of drownings occur between May and September.
"Water recreation is a great way to beat the summer heat," adds DFPS Commissioner Anne Heiligenstein. "But being near water can be very dangerous, especially for children. Children, particularly toddlers who are just starting to move around and explore, are attracted to water because it's fun. At the same time, they don't realize how something so enjoyable can also be so deadly."
Such danger calls for vigilance on the part of parents and caretakers.
"Drownings can occur in both large and small amounts of water: ponds, creeks, pools, spas, drainage ditches, as well as bathtubs, buckets, and even commodes. It only takes a few minutes for a child to drown," Ms. Heiligenstein says. "Never leave them unsupervised around water both inside and outside of the house."
Each individual story is poignant - and far more than just a safety statistic.
In recent weeks, an 18-month-old boy drowned in his family's pool near Red Oak. His family was inside. His father and three siblings were inside.
In Laredo, two brothers, ages 13 and 11, drowned in a pool with dozens of swimmers nearby.
And in Corsicana, a 2-year-old girl walked out her unlocked back door and fell into the family's backyard pool. She was dead when her mother found her minutes later.
The DFPS has launched a campaign this year to try to minimize child drownings. The campaign is called "See and Save" - because "If you can't see them, you can't save them." It emphasizes the importance of close supervision. In most cases, the DFPS says, the children were out of sight for less than five minutes.
Making sure your children are comfortable and competent in the water is also important.
In Tyler, the American Red Cross offers free swimming lessons. The program is for children age 6 and older who are at least 46 inches tall. Special classes are available for infants/preschoolers and adults, according to information from the Red Cross.
"Learn to Swim" runs through July 31 in two-week sessions at Fun Forest Pool. Disabled individuals are welcome.
To register, call 903-581-7981 or visit the Web site www.smithcounty.redcross.org under the Health and Safety section. "Learn to Swim" is also sponsored by the Tyler Parks and Recreation Department.
