With the weather heating up, the Peoria Police and Fire departments are reminding families about water safety during swimming season.
In 2008, there were 153 water-related incidents that resulted in the deaths of 33 adults and 16 children in Maricopa County.
In Peoria, the first drowning of 2009 occurred Saturday at Lake Pleasant when a 21-year-old male tried to swim across a cove.
Authorities say the best way to ensure children's safety is constant supervision and following a few tips:
- Block access to the pool. Use a pool fence, self-closing or self-latching doors, put alarms on doors that access the pool area and put locks on windows. Take the time to look around your pool and yard and think like a kid so you can see what you need to remove or alter.
- Watch children at all times. Keeping constant eye supervision, not listening from inside, is the only way to guarantee someone will not drown. When hosting parties or gatherings around the pool, make sure someone is always the designated pool supervisor.
- Make sure your children learn how to swim. Peoria offers swim classes for children and adults. For more information about swim lessons, call 623-773-7137 or visit www.peoriaaz.gov/aquatics.
|
Reproduced with permission from: The Arizona Republic ©Copyright 2009 Arizona Republic |
| |