KANSAS CITY, MO. — Drowning is the number one unintentional cause of death in the United States for children ages 1 to 4 years old according to the CPSC.Family practitioner Dr. Hilary Nash says drowning can not only be silent but can happen in moments.
She walked through strategies to protect your children including the kinds of toys you might have around the pool. Nash warns against items like pool noodles, inner tubes, and water wings for some families because they are not safety flotation devices.
"My advice is if you have a small child that isn't an independent swimmer to just get rid of these types of things," she said. "They are just a temptation and can lead to just tragic situations."
Nash suggests looking for U.S. Coast Guard Approved life jackets or devices instead. Even with those, Nash reminds parents and caretakers to stay vigilant.
"It is so important to stay alert. We live in a distracted world," she said. "Even a few seconds on our phones or our ear buds in not listening can be a moment when our kids are in danger in the pool."
Nash shares more about starting swim lessons potentially as early as six months old and the close call her own family experienced in the video above.
