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FORT MYERS, Fla.- Drowning is a leading cause of unintentional injury and death among children in the U.S. In 2014, there were 784 deaths for children under the age of 17. That means nearly two kids die every day from drowning. In Southwest Florida, we are surrounded by opportunities to enjoy the water. When you are near the water with a child, safety must come first. Sally Kreuscher, Child Advocacy Coordinator at Golisano Children’s Hospital and SafeKids Coordinator for Southwest Florida, stopped by the studio to share tips on keeping kids safe near the water.
Risk Factors
- Lack of barriers
- No adult supervision
- People might be present, but no one is watching
CPSC Pool Safely Pledge Week - July 18-24
- Designate a water watcher every single time children in my care are in or near the water
- Make sure my kids know how to swim
- As a parent or guardian, learn CPR
- Always remove portable pool ladders when not in use
- Ensure all permanent pools have a proper fence and gate and safer drain covers
For more information, visit poolsafety.gov or leememorial.org.