KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Centers for Disease Control released a startling statistic. About 10 people die every day in the United States from accidental drowning. Of those, only two are children aged 14 or younger.
The American Red Cross is stepping up its efforts to prevent both children and adults from drowning. The Red Cross is starting a campaign to cut the number of drownings by 50 percent.
According to a survey by the Red Cross, 80 percent of adults said they could swim, but only 56 percent were able to perform the five basic skills to save their life in the water.
Cari Duffin, owner of Midwest Aquatics, provides swimming lessons for kids and adults, but she says she wishes more adults would come in and admit they need help in the water.
“It’s never too late,” she said. “I’d push embarrassment aside to save my family and friends.”
Duffin explained it’s important, especially for parents to know how to swim if they’re bringing their kids around water, because not all pools have lifeguards and it’s important parents know how to save their kids if they get into trouble.
According to the CDC, younger children those between the ages of one and four years old have the highest drowning rates.
Even non-fatal water injuries can be life-changing. The CDC reports more than 50 percent of water-related accident injuries require further hospital care compared to six percent of all other unintentional injuries.
So if you’re planning to take advantage of the warmer weather this weekend, make sure you respect the water and know what to do in case of a water emergency.