Recent Spate In Child Drowning Deaths Sparks Suffolk Officials To Sound Alarm, Launch Public Safety Campaign

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Officials are set to sound the alarm over a recent spate of drowning deaths in Suffolk County that they say are outpacing last year's numbers — with many weeks of summer still to come.

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine will be joined by Fire Rescue Commissioner Rudy Sunderman and local officials to announce a public safety awareness campaign — and to issue a renewed warning to residents about the importance of pool and water safety at a press event in Centereach Friday.

Officials will also provide an update on the recent incident at Smith Point County Park involving three beachgoers.

Officials offered pool safety tips:

Facts

• 10 people die from drowning each day in the United States.

• About one in five people who die from drowning are children 14 and younger.
• Among children ages one to four, most drown in home swimming pools.
• Three out of 10 deaths in children, ages one to four, are caused by drowning.
• Most young children who drown, have been out of a caretakers sight for less than five minutes.
• For every child under 15 years old who dies from drowning in a pool, another 10 are rushed to the emergency room for near drowning.
• When victims nearly drown, their brains are deprived of oxygen, which can cause damage, and affect a persons ability to function.

Tips to prevent drowning

• Young children can drown in a few inches of water. A child younger than five years of age should always be within arm’s reach when near water.
• Because drowning occurs quickly and quietly, adults should not be involved in any other distracting activity (such as reading or talking on the phone) while supervising children.
• If you leave the pool area, even for a minute, take your children with you.
• Learn to Swim. Formal swimming lessons can protect adults and children from drowning. However, even when children have had lessons, constant supervision is needed.
• Teach older children to always swim with a friend, and where lifeguards are on duty.
• Don’t use air-filled or foam devices in place of life jackets. These toys are not designed to keep swimmers safe.
• When the pool is not in use, remove the steps and take all toys away from the pool area.
• Keep a first aid kit stocked and available near the pool.
• Teach children how to dial 911 and how to get help in an emergency. Make sure children know their address.
• Keep a cell phone in the pool area, in case of an emergency.
• Obtain certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). In the time it takes for paramedics to arrive, your CPR skills could save someone’s life.

Signs of drowning

Drowning victims do not usually scream or wave their arms. Signs of drowning include:

• Head low in the water, mouth at water level.
• Head tilted back, with mouth open.
• Eyes closed, or glassy and empty, unable to focus.
• Hair over forehead or eyes.
• Not using legs, vertical position.
• Hyperventilating or gasping.
• Trying to swim, but not making headway.
• Trying to roll over to their backs
• Appearing to be climbing onto an invisible ladder.

Learn CPR

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) saves lives. If you perform CPR on a drowning victim while waiting for an ambulance to arrive, you might save a life or greatly improve the outcome.Click here for more information on CPR and CPR training.

Pool Safety Laws

• New York State Law Requires that swimming pools built after December 14, 2006, be equipped with an approved pool alarm, unless the pool is equipped with an automatic power safety cover.
• The pool must be enclosed within a fence or other barrier that is at least four feet high, and can be entered only through self-closing and self-latching doors or gates.
• New York codes, rules and regulations for swimming pools can be found on the NYS Department of State website.
• Contact your local municipality for additional code and zoning requirements.

Recent tragedies

Hearts were broken when a girl, 2, died after being found unresponsive in a Mastic Beach pool recently.

A boy, 3, also died after being found unresponsive in a Central Islip pool.

Another child, 6, died in Southampton after being swept away by the current toward the Great Peconic Bay.