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Preschool Age Drownings Highest this MIllenium
Jun 24, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Diane Holm, Public Information Officer PRE-SCHOOL AGE DROWNINGS HIGHEST THIS MILLENIUM FORT MYERS, FL-Today another pre-school age child was found in a family pool and presumed drowned. If drowning is confirmed as the cause of death, this will make the fourth child under 5 to die of drowning in Lee County this year. "This is the highest the drowning death rate in this age group has been in 9 years," said Diane Holm, Public Information Officer for Lee County Emergency Medical Services. "This is a tragedy for the entire county--the family is suffering, the medics who tried to save the child are suffering, friends and neighbors are suffering-all needlessly because this type of drowning is totally preventable!" According to the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA), drowning prevention has many aspects to it. The NDPA recommends placing layers of protection between the water and the child, such as barriers and alarms that must be checked regularly and maintained to the current standard, in addition there are layers of water safety education for the parent and child, plus rescue and resuscitation. "No one layer is guaranteed to prevent drowning," said Holm. "Each layer provides more time for the parent to locate that missing child in safety instead of tragedy." The South West Florida Drowning Prevention Committee regularly teaches parent water safety classes, to help parents understand the many layers that are needed to prevent drowning. The next one is tonight at the St. John Baptist Church. For information on setting up a parent water safety class call Holm at 335-1639.
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