A one-year-old in west Phoenix is recovering after a backyard pool scare on Saturday that could have ended much differently. Family members pulled the toddler from the water and started life-saving measures before firefighters arrived, and the child was taken to a hospital in stable condition, authorities said. Officials did not immediately say how long the child had been submerged.
Responders On The Scene
Phoenix Fire crews were dispatched to the area of Lower Buckeye Road and 91st Avenue, where relatives were already performing CPR on the child, according to KTAR News. Firefighters found the toddler awake and crying, then transported the child to a nearby hospital for evaluation. The department turned the scene over to Phoenix police, who responded to investigate, the KTAR report states.
Why Officials Are Sounding The Alarm
Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 1 to 4 in the United States, and most drownings in that age group happen in home pools, federal health data show, according to the CDC. The City of Phoenix has promoted a “Drowning Zero” campaign that urges layered protections, including fenced and self-latching gates, pool alarms, constant adult supervision and CPR training, to try to prevent these tragedies, according to the City of Phoenix.
Local Trend
The incident comes amid a string of water-related emergencies around the Valley this month, including other near-drownings and a recent fatality that prompted renewed warnings from fire officials. ABC15 and FOX10 Phoenix have reported on the recent incidents and the department’s community outreach as they try to keep the numbers from climbing.
What Parents Should Know
Phoenix Fire advises adults to learn infant and child CPR, secure pools with proper barriers and never leave young children unattended at or near water. The city posts local resources and swim-lesson information on its summer safety pages. For national guidance and safety tips, see the CDC drowning resources and the City of Phoenix Drowning Zero materials.
