Children's Safety Zone

In recent weeks we have had one child drowning and a near drowning of another child. Children, 4 years of age and younger, represent the largest number of drowning victims and it is a reminder for anyone responsible for children to never leave them unsupervised around water. With temperatures in excess of 100 degrees, people are starting to look to water recreation for relief.

Arizona is consistently one of the states with the highest numbers of drowning cases. You might expect that of California or Florida with many miles of beaches, but this just shows that it doesn’t take an ocean, it could just takes a few inches of water. Infants can drown in as little as one inch of water, and it can happen in “just a few seconds.”  Every year Arizona loses more than a classroom full of children to drowning. There are a few basic steps to reduce the risk of adding to these figures, we call it the ABCs of drowning prevention.

“A” is for Adult supervision. If children are around water, they need constant, responsible, undistracted, adult supervision. Designate a “Water Watcher” whose only responsibility is to watch the children. If that person has to leave the area, someone else takes over or everyone leaves the pool area with them.

“B” is for Barrier fencing. Every pool should be enclosed by a barrier fence at least 4 feet high. It should have a self closing, self latching gate. Pool toys should not be left in the pool, they attract children, and furniture should not be near the exterior fence where it can be used to crawl over.  Pool alarms are also added security.

“C” is for Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), learn how to perform CPR in the event that the unthinkable does happen. In addition, although we cannot “waterproof” our children, teach them to swim (the City of Yuma’s Parks and Recreation program has many great classes). First responders often hear “It was only a few seconds” or “I thought someone else was watching”.  Do all you can do to prevent drowning (www.preventdrownings.org provides some excellent tips) and have a fun and safe summer.

For more information, or to set up a class, call Mike Erfert at 373-4850.  Follow us at www.twitter.com/YumaFireDept

PHOENIX – Phoenix Fire crews have found the body of a man who fell into a Phoenix canal Wednesday night.

Phoenix Police spokesman James Holmes said officers received a call reporting a man had fallen into a canal near the 101 and McDowell.

Police said initial reports indicate the man had been drinking with a small group of  friends when he went into the canal and did not come out.

Authorities found the man’s body around 6:15 p.m. Air15 video showed crews pulling the body from the canal.

Police said they are treating this as an accidental drowning.

PHOENIX – Authorities say a woman was found dead in a pool in Ahwatukee Tuesday morning.

Fire crews were called to a home near Chandler Boulevard and 32nd Street around 6 a.m.

Phoenix Fire Department spokesman Jonathan Jacobs said the 46-year-old woman was found in the pool and pronounced deceased.

Police say it appears to be an accidental drowning and alcohol may have been a factor.

MESA, AZ – Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office is reporting that there is one drowning victim on the Salt River.

The incident occurred at the Mud Cliffs at Salt River around 3 p.m. Saturday.

Witnesses say that the victim 24-year-old John George of Chandler, was tubing on the river and was separated from his group.

He let go of his raft and attempted to swim up stream, but witnesses believe he went underneath the water as he got too tired to swim.

Deputies responding to the scene performed life saving measures until medical aid arrived.

He was pronounced dead on the scene.

According to Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, the man may have been underwater for up to four minutes before being rescued.

PAGE, Ariz. (AP) “ﾔ Authorities say the body of an apparent drowning victim has been recovered from Lake Powell on the Arizona-Utah border.

Officials with the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area say 26-year-old Colby Roman was reported missing May 25.

The Scottsdale, Ariz., resident and a friend decided to go for a swim while their houseboat drifted.

Witnesses say high winds pushed the boat away from the swimmers and Roman tried to help his friend.

The remaining three people on the boat were able to save that man, but they say Roman slipped under the water and couldn’t be located.

After a 26-day search, Roman’s body was located Wednesday at a depth of more than 260 feet by a remote unit equipped with sonar and video.

The National Park Service is investigating the death.