Data: 53 Texas children have drowned so far this year

An alarming number of children have died in accidental drowning incidents this year and state officials are urging parents to keep watchful eyes on their children this summer.

Already, 53 Texas children have drowned this year, according to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. That number will likely rise as the summer progresses.

If the current rate holds, 2009 is poised to be a record year for the number of child drowning deaths in Texas.

Ten Texas youths have drowned in the last week, including two Laredo boys who died in the midst of a crowded pool party last week.

Now, state officials are desperately urging parents to monitor their children when they play near pools, bayous or ponds.
They're also warning that young children can even drown indoors.

"We just really want to remind parents that it's not just a swimming pool," said John Lennan, a spokesman for Family and Protective Services. "It could be many different things."

Children have drowned in septic tanks, toilets, even buckets of water.

"They're curious," Lennan said. "Toddlers just starting to walk are kind of top-heavy. That head is going to be a counterweight that could pull them forward, and they may not have the upper-body strength to pull themselves out."

"A water fatality can occur in any body of water," Lennan added.

He encouraged parents to take simple safety steps to prevent drowning, like closing the bathroom door, keeping aquariums covered and never leaving a child unattended in the bathtub.

Parents are also advised to enroll children in swimming classes as a proactive step to decrease the likelihood of drowning.

The city of McAllen offers swimming courses for adults and children as young as 6 months old at all three of its pools. The two-week classes cost $20 for McAllen residents and $30 for nonresidents.

"The key there is to provide an opportunity for children to lose their fear of water and feel comfortable doing the moves ... to keep them afloat," said Mike Hernandez, the city's interim parks and recreation director.

Hernandez said the courses teach basic swimming and floating techniques and provide instruction to children on what to do if they accidentally fall into a pool.

Information on enrollment is available at www.mcallen.net or (956) 681-3333.

State officials also are hosting a free water safety awareness course from 9:30 a.m. to noon today at Edinburg Municipal Pool, 125 East Palm Drive, Edinburg.

Lennan also advised parents to swim in the pool with their children, as opposed to simply watching from the sidelines.

The Rio Grande Valley has had several child drowning incidents in recent months.

In March, a 6-year-old Starr County girl drowned after falling into an apartment swimming pool. And in December, a 3-year-old boy in Cameron County died after falling into a septic tank.

An average of 70 Texas children drown each year, according to Family and Protective Services. Last year's 82 child drowning deaths was the highest total since the agency began tracking the figures in 2005.

Children younger than 1 year old are most likely to drown in small containers indoors, such as bathtubs, buckets or toilets. Children ages 1 to 4 are most likely to drown in swimming pools.

Lennan said parents need to actively monitor children near pools — just being in the pool's vicinity isn't good enough.

Most children who have drowned in pools were in the care of at least one parent and had been out of sight less than five minutes, he said.

Ryan Holeywell covers McAllen, PSJA, the Mid-Valley and general assignments for The Monitor. He can be reached at (956) 683-4446.