PHOENIX, Arizona — As triple-digit temperatures return to the Valley, safety experts are urging parents to remain vigilant to prevent pool tragedies during the peak summer months.
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Drowning remains the leading cause of death for children under age five, but officials say a community-wide push for education is beginning to show results.
At a drowning prevention event held at the Hilton Phoenix Tapatio Hills Resort, Salt River Project (SRP) and the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona demonstrated life-saving techniques and shared strategies for pool safety.
“Drowning is silent,” said Jay Arthur, president of the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona. “A lot of people think if they’re out by the pool and they can listen for their child, they’ll jump in and help them if they’re in trouble.”
The reality, Arthur noted, is that a drowning can happen in a matter of seconds without a splash or a scream.
One of the primary recommendations from safety advocates is the designation of a “Water Watcher,” a specific adult tasked with keeping their eyes on the water at all times without distractions like phones or social conversations. To assist with this, to help families clearly identify who is on duty.
For many parents, the high-stakes environment of a crowded pool is a source of constant anxiety.
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“It’s nerve-racking for me,” one parent at the event said. “There’s a lot of people, and that’s usually when drownings happen.”
Other parents emphasized the importance of layers of protection, such as life vests, bright swim suits for their kids and total sobriety while supervising.
“I usually just sit here and watch them. I don’t drink. I don’t indulge in other activities,” said another parent, noting that even if a child has some swimming ability, vests remain a staple for large gatherings.
The push for vigilance comes amid encouraging data. Drowning fatalities among children under five in Arizona are trending downward, dropping from 19 deaths in 2024 to seven a year later.
Despite the progress, Arthur, a former firefighter, warned against complacency.
“That doesn’t keep us from dropping our guard down,” Arthur said. “We have to make sure we keep it up because the summer is starting and the heat is starting to come. We have to make sure we are vigilant all year round.”
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