The holidays may be over, but in the Valley of the Sun, event season has just begun. Sporting events, car auctions and the annual crown jewel, Waste Management Phoenix Open has visitors and residents alike distracted.
“Although we see our incident numbers rise as the weather gets warmer, most pools remain filled all year long,” said Melissa Sutton, president of the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona. “And to visitors, our temperatures in January are a dream. This brings a lot of people to the area who aren’t used to having pools in the backyard. That lack of awareness can be devastating if a child finds access to water.”
Sutton also recognizes that day-to-day life can be distracting enough, leading to tragedy.
“We unfortunately saw that this weekend,” she said. A 3-year-old drowned Sunday after falling into a backyard pool in Tolleson. “Our hearts go out to this family. The DPCA is here to provide emotional support when they are ready.”
“Healing and Hope” was established by the DPCA in 2017 for families who have experienced a fatal or non-fatal drowning. Those interested in getting involved may contact Jessica Curtis, DPCA Vice President and parent who lost a child to drowning. She can be reached at [email protected] for more information.
The DPCA reminds everyone that drowning has no season. It is important to remain vigilant during all times of year, whether a visitor or full-time resident. The coalition offers these tips:
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Adult Supervision: Watch each other around water. Neither adults nor children should swim alone. And if you lose track of children, always check your water hazards first.
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Barriers: Block access to water hazards. Put fences around pools with gates shut and locked. Use protective covers on spas. Close bathroom doors. Dump out water buckets.
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Classes and Coast-Guard Approved Life Vests: Learn CPR and ensure all family members know how to swim. Wear life vests in any water that is above your swimming ability – especially on open water.
“Our goal every year is to raise awareness to keep our water-related incident numbers low,” Sutton says. “If we can keep all of these layers of protection in place, we reduce our risk of drowning significant
The Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona, a community based organization comprised of parents, health and safety professionals and business leaders, exists to provide a forum to prevent drowning and near drowning through the promotion of education, legislative action and enhanced product safety. Check out our website at www.preventdrownings.org for more information.
