Safe Kids board promotes safe swimming awareness

SUMTER - She just looked away for a second.

It was a second that changed her life forever.

Now she spends her time warning parents about pool safety and how to protect children from the risks associated with recreational waters through a public service announcement produced by the state Department of Health and Environmental Control in partnership with the Safe Kids Sumter County Board.

Fortunately, both Liz Lewis and her son, Kai, are fine now.

"In light of Kai Lewis’ neardrowning, our local Safe Kids coalition had a strong desire to educate parents about how quickly a drowning can occur, even when adults are present," said Missy Reese, DHEC public information coordinator and Safe Kids Sumter County advisory board member.

"Swim season will be here soon," said Betsy Conner, coordinator for Safe Kids Sumter County. "Parents need to know that drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death among children between the ages of one to 14, especially because pool and spa ownership is becoming more popular, with 50 percent of homes having a pool or spa." Research shows 34 percent

of parents with children under the age of 15 recognize that drowning is one of the top two causes of accidental death among children, and 66 percent are not aware of the threat of drain entrapment and entanglement. According to Reese, pool and spa drain entrapment is an especially horrible way for children to drown.

"Entrapment can occur when a child's hair or body part gets pulled into an underwater drain in a pool or spa and the suction makes it impossible to swim away."

"Through public awareness activities like National Safe Kids Week, Safe Kids coalitions seek to educate parents and caregivers about potential risks to children and adults role in preventing injuries," said Conner.

"Parents and caregivers can learn how to teach children about drain safety and install layers of protection," said Reese.

National Safe Kids Week has been held annually for 13 years and this year's theme is Safe Pools for Safe Kids. More than 300 Safe Kids Week events were held across the nation to educate parents and pool owners about how to keep kids safe from drowning.