Safety tips to prevent child drowning this summer in Utah

UTAH (ABC4) – Because the climate warms up and extra swimming swimming pools are opening, ABC4 took a more in-depth have a look at the best way to maintain your youngsters secure whereas nonetheless having fun with water actions this summer season. In line with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC), drowning is the second main explanation for loss of life in youngsters beneath the age of 14.

“Drowning shouldn’t be what you see within the motion pictures, it’s not loud, they’re not screaming for assist,” stated Brittany Groesbeck, proprietor of Large Blue Swim College. “Often, it at all times occurs beneath the floor of the water.”

That is one thing Groesbeck is aware of all too effectively. In 2014, Broesbeck was at a neighborhood recreation middle together with her husband Zack after they witnessed one thing tragic.

“There was quite a lot of screaming and yelling and whistleblowing, after which full silence as we realized there was a bit boy being pulled out of the water,” she remembers.

That little boy was 7-years-old and tragically, he didn’t survive.

“The household was there, and simply to see their sorrow and their anguish, it was terrible,” stated Groesbeck.

After this expertise, Groesbeck and her husband felt impressed to do one thing to forestall this from taking place to different households.

On June 27, the couple shall be opening the primary Large Blue Swim College in Utah at Cottonwood Heights. This shall be one in every of 9 coming to Utah. Groesbeck strongly encourages mother and father to think about putting their youngsters into swimming classes.

“We all know that by formal swim classes, that [drowning] could be decreased by 88 %,” she stated.

And as mother and father take their youngsters to swimming pools this summer season, it’s vital to keep watch over them always and to designate an grownup to be a “water watcher.”

“[Think], it’s my flip proper now to look at the children, I have to put my telephone down, cease studying my e-book, cease chatting with others, and once more rotate the duties each quarter-hour or one thing, take turns,” stated Jessica Sturdy, the neighborhood well being director for Major Youngsters’s Hospital.

Groesbeck additionally says mother and father want to make sure their youngsters have correct life jackets.

“Ensure they’re form-fitted, that they’re fitted to that baby, and just be sure you’re not utilizing one thing like a pool noodle for floatation,” advises Groesbeck. “You wish to be sure you have one thing that’s particularly designed for that.”

To be taught extra in regards to the Large Blue Swim College coming to Utah, go to their web site.