Councilwoman Peggy Neely
City Sun Times
Keep Kids Safe Around Water
Too often, firefighters hear people say, “I only turned my back for a few seconds.” Sadly, just a few seconds is all it takes for a child to drown. Drowning is one of the leading causes of death for children under age four in Arizona. Most children drown in their own pools, but many children drown in canals, buckets, toilets, bathtubs and ponds. Near-drowning calls also are tragic. They can cause permanent brain damage. Drowning and near-drowning can be prevented!
How to Prevent Drowning:
- NEVER allow children to be alone near a pool or any water source. This includes bathtubs, buckets, toilets and ponds.
- Do not allow children to play in the pool area.
- Never go swimming alone, whether you’re an adult or child.
- Use an approved barrier to separate the pool from the house.
- Keep tables, chairs and ladders AWAY from pool fences.
- Mount life-saving devices near the pool.
- Post the 9-1-1number on the phone. Think about installing a phone near the pool area. NEVER leave children alone near the pool while talking on
the phone. - Learn Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
- Learn to swim.
Share this with family and friends. Remember, it takes just a few seconds for a child to drown.
For more information on water safety, call the city of Phoenix Fire Department Community Involvement Section at 602-262-6910 or visit phoenix.gov/fire.
Phoenix Councilwoman Peggy Neely represents District 2, which includes most of northeast Phoenix. She can be reached at 602-262-7445 or through e-mail at council.district.2@phoenix.gov.