Phoenix Fire officials urge community to help prevent drownings
Phoenix Fire Chief Mike Duran lamented the latest uptick in drownings throughout the Valley whereas urging the community to take motion throughout a information convention on Wednesday morning
In the previous week, 4 kids underneath the age of 5 have drowned or almost drowned within the Phoenix space.
In truth, Duran stated, there have been 9 water-related incidents in Phoenix alone since April, when the division launched its new water security marketing campaign, Drowning Zero, targeted on community training to prevent drownings.
The objective of the marketing campaign, in accordance to the department’s website, is to be sure that there aren’t any kids left unsupervised and to get rid of any obstacles to pool visibility and entry to unsafe our bodies of water. The division has elevated messaging about water security by way of media occasions, social media posts and billboards throughout town, amongst different methods.
“Tragedies can be prevented but it takes constant awareness and supervision,” stated Duran.
Latest case:2-year-old boy in important situation after almost drowning in yard pool
Installing fencing round swimming pools, assigning somebody to supervise pool actions and at all times monitoring kids when swimming can help prevent drowning. Signing youngsters up for swimming classes additionally helps, Duran stated, and emptying buckets and swimming pools when not in use can preserve curious toddlers protected.
The Centers for Disease Control reviews that kids aged 1 by way of 4 are on the highest danger for drowning deaths.
“We don’t want another family to experience this suffering of losing a loved one and especially a child,” stated Duran.
Assistant Fire Chief Shelly Jamison urged community members to stay vigilant, saying the rise in near-drownings is a supply of concern for the division.
“Frankly, we’re at our wits’ end,” she stated, “Last week, four children drowned or nearly drowned. Three of those instances involved pools and the other one a bathtub. The numbers are staggering and they’re preventable.”
The Arizona Department of Health Services retains a list of swimming lessons across the Valley on its website.
Reporter Angela Cordoba Perez contributed to this text.
Reach legal justice reporter Gloria Rebecca Gomez at [email protected] or on Twitter @glorihuh.
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