The Midland Fire Department is asking the public to read up on dangers that could lead to drowning as pool season begins.
Drowning is the top cause of accidental deaths in children under the age of 5, and it causes thousands of deaths per year in the U.S. By simply supervising children and avoiding high-risk behavior, citizens can help decrease those deadly numbers this year.
There are several myths related to drowning. While many might believe that a victim will yell for help, that's often not the case as the victim is trying to breathe. The same goes for the belief that a victim will wave his or her hands in the air, when in reality the victim's hands will be too busy wading in water, trying to swim.
Helpful devices to install at a personal pool include barriers around the pool, such as self-closing fences and gates that latch. Drain covers in pools and hot tubs can prevent entrapment. Flotation devices are a must for children, and parents are encouraged to teach children to swim by contacting their local fitness club. High-risk behaviors such as drinking alcohol can lead to drowning events, and officials ask that parents talk to their children about these dangers.
###Media Contact: Fire Captain Aaron Cox