Do you plan to celebrate Fourth of July at the pool or lake? What to know about water safety
A one-year-old boy died Tuesday after falling into his family's swimming pool in North Phoenix, police said.
Police were called to a house near 29th Avenue and Villa Maria Drive around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday for a reported drowning. The victim, one-year-old Zion Rodgers, was transported to the hospital in critical condition and later died from his injuries.
As families get ready to celebrate Independence Day at a pool or on the lake, here's what to keep in mind about water safety.
How many children have drowned in Phoenix this year?
As of May 31, there have been five children, under the age of five, who have drowned in Phoenix in 2024, according to data from Phoenix officials.
At least 18 children who were 12 years old or younger have had a near-drowning incident.
In 2023, four children under the age of five died from drowning, according to the City of Phoenix, and 23 children under twelve years old had a near-drowning incident.
What steps can you take to prevent a drowning?
As temperatures continue to rise in the Valley and families make plans to beat the heat during the Fourth of July weekend, there are several precautions parents can take to keep their kids safe in the water.
The City of Phoenix recommends following these steps to prevent drowning:
Use an approved barrier to separate the pool from the house.
Never allow children to be alone near a pool or any water source, including bathtubs, buckets, toilets, ponds and canals.
Have life-saving devices near the pool, such as a hook, pole, or flotation device.
Keep large objects such as tables, chairs, or ladders away from pool fences.
Always have a designated child watcher when kids are in the pool.
If you leave the pool area, take the child (children) with you.
More water safety tips include learning CPR, never swimming alone, never swimming under the influence of alcohol or medication and never swimming when there is thunder or lightning.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What to know about water safety
