Children need 100 percent attention near swimming pool, county official says

County of San Diego officials remind parents to keep an eye on their children this summer around swimming pools to prevent drowning deaths.

So far this year, four children in the region have drowned. Seven children under the age of 15 died from drowning in San Diego County last year, the county reported.

“When children are near or around water, it is critical to give them 100 percent attention,” said Debra Zanders-Willis, director of county Child Welfare Services. “With young children, it is important to know they can drown not only in pools but also in as little as a few inches of water.”

Drowning is the leading cause of death involving injuries for children aged 1 to 4, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In addition to being watchful of children in water, parents were reminded that plastic inflatable flotation devices are not life jackets and should never be substituted for adult supervision.

Adults should also know the address of where they are in case they need to call emergency personnel.

“It’s tragic to hear about the death of a child due to accidental drowning,” said Greg Cox, chairman of the Board of Supervisors. “It can almost always have been prevented by keeping an eye on kids all the time they are in the water.”

The remarks came at a news conference timed to coincide with the end of the school year, when many children will be around backyard or community pools.