SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – Phones down and eyes up! Today, we discussed swim safety with leaders from YMCA of Southwest Florida.
88% of child drownings happen when at least one other person is present. That means someone is nearby, but not always paying attention. We often think we’d hear splashing or screaming if a child is in trouble, but drowning is silent. It can happen in as little as 2 or 3 inches of water. That’s why putting our phones down and keeping our eyes up — especially at the pool or beach — is one of the easiest and most powerful things we can do.
Responding to a text, answering an email, listening to a podcast, or making a grocery list—these tasks may seem quick and harmless, but those few seconds of distraction can add up. And distractions around water can lead to serious, even fatal, consequences. Families must designate a Water Watcher—an adult who stays focused and free from distractions like phones, conversations, or alcohol, who can maintain constant visual contact with all children in or near the water…