World Drowning Prevention Day: Experts stress safety following child’s pool death in Central Islip
Water safety experts are urging families to take simple precautions to prevent drownings as communities observe World Drowning Prevention Day following the death of a three-year-old in a Central Islip pool.
More Stories
As families head to pools and beaches to cool off this summer, water safety experts are reminding everyone that drowning is preventable.
July 25 marks World Drowning Prevention Day.
The reminder comes after a tragic incident on Long Island, where a three-year-old child died Thursday night after being found unresponsive in a swimming pool in Central Islip.
Megan Ferraro, chair of the U.S. National Water Safety Action Plan, says preventing drownings requires multiple layers of protection rather than relying on a single safety measure.
"Drowning is preventable, and it is preventable with layers of protection," Ferraro said. "If you're someone with a backyard pool, ensure you have a four-sided isolation fence around that pool. Have alarms on doors going out to the pool area. Talk to your kids about water safety."
Ferraro also encourages families to begin building water safety skills early. Parent-and-child swiming classes are available for children as young as one year old, helping young swimmers become more comfortable and confident in the water.
