SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Warm weather means more people are spending time by the water, and we’re learning it has already been a dangerous year for drownings.
Most recently, first responders were called to the Sanford area where they say a 4-year-old drowned in a pool. Last week, the Seminole County Fire Department said a 1-and-a-half-year-old drowned in a pool in Casselberry.
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It brings the total number of pediatric drownings to six in Seminole County so far this year, according to SCFD. Data shared by the department with News 6 shows last year there were a total of 10.
“We’re quickly approaching the calls that we had just in four months that we had the entire last year,” said Lt. Dave Williams. “It’s very concerning because drowning is ultimately a preventable issue. For the most part, there’s always going to be those occurrences, but, you know, if we can get out there and teach our children to swim and have awareness around pools and bodies of water, it’s really going to bring our numbers back down.”
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More children ages 1–4 die from drowning than any other cause of death in the United States. According to the CDC, most young children who drowned in pools had been out of sight for less than five minutes.
“Unfortunately, 80% of drownings occur where an adult is present. So, they can be in the house, outside watching,” said Lt. Williams. “Drownings don’t necessarily look like drownings. They can be quiet and calm, and they just slip under the water. So, it can happen before you even realize something’s wrong.”
The Seminole County Fire Department encourages families to keep a watchful eye around water and to keep gates and doors closed so children don’t unintentionally have access to a pool or nearby body of water.
They have given out hundreds of pool alarms and helped families get survival swim lessons.
“They have a program called ISR, which is Infant Swimming Resources, and that focuses on kids that are from age 1 to 6, and actually even six months of age,” said Lt. Williams. “Get them in the pool and have them float on their backs to safety, to where finally, when they recognize that they’re in the pool and unattended, they can be brought out.”
You can read drowning prevention tips and see more resources from SCFD here.
