South Florida's pediatric near-drowning epidemic has grown worse: Three babies are grasping at life after almost dying at their homes this week.
First happened on Thursday night, when a woman found her 1-year-old granddaughter floating unconcious in the family's backyard koi pond. Rescuers were able to restart the baby's heart and rush her to the hospital.
Similar story Saturday night, when a 2-year-old girl went wandering off while adults were having a party at the home. She was floating in an inflatable pool when someone found her.
Then tonight, a similar scenario happened in Southwest Miami-Dade when two parents lost track of their 2-year-old boy for a minute, only to find him floating in their backyard swimming pool. A 911 dispatcher helped the parents perform CPR until paramedics arrived.
Thankfully, these three kids lived and may have a fighting chance at recovering from these traumas. But for the rescuers who see this all too often in South Florida, it's incomprehensible that parents and guardians haven't learned the lesson yet.
"There is no substitute for supervision," Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Lt. Eddy Ballester says.
He says it a lot. And it frustrates him that some parents still aren't listening.
With summer approaching and schools about to let out, heed his warning: Keep an eye on your kids.
With school out, the sweltering heat of summer upon us, and curious youngsters, it is important to keep an eye on your children at all times. Here's a bright idea, why not enroll your kids in swimming lessons?
Posted by: MH | May 31, 2007 at 12:15 PM