Drowning Report Issues Warnings To Parents As Summer Approaches

A warning for parents as we approach summer- nearly 400 children die every year from drowning in pools and spas. One mother is speaking out to prevent future tragedies.

Chezik Tsunoda went through a heartbreak no mother should experience. In 2018, her 3-year old son Yori drowned in a backyard pool.

“When you lose a child this way, it’s incredibly painful and challenging to talk about. Often times, at least in my case, there was something that I could have done to save my child, and it just didn’t end up working out that way,” Tsunoda said.

Tsunoda founded “No More Under”, a non-profit dedicated to preventing child drowning deaths. A new government report finds an average of 371 children drown every year in pools and spas.

Tsunoda believes 100% of drownings are preventable. She says parents need to learn CPR, and make sure they and their children know how to swim. Also, you should prepare before going to the pool- finding out of if there are lifeguards or life jackets on hand.

Alex Hoehn-Saric, chair of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, warns parents to keep their eyes on their kids.

“We like to say have a designated water watcher, an adult who is focused on the kids- not reading a book or looking at the phone,” Hoehn-Saric said.

The report also shows racial disparities- Black children make up 21 percent of all drowning deaths.