PHX Reporter

With summer approaching, Banner Children’s at Desert is urging families to prioritize water safety. The Children's Safety Zone reports 12 drowning fatalities among children aged 6-12 in 2023, and five fatalities among those aged 0-5 from January to April this year in Maricopa and Pinal counties.

Tracey J. Fejt, Nurse and Trauma Outreach Coordinator at Banner Children’s at Desert, highlights the importance of continuous water safety education. Fejt says, “Drowning is a preventable tragedy, it is crucial that families take proactive measures to keep their children safe around water. Especially during the summer months when families are more likely to be around pools, lakes, and even a bathtub, it only takes a moment for a drowning incident to occur. By remaining vigilant, staying informed on water safety best practices, and ensuring proper supervision, we can reduce the risk of drowning incidents in our community.”

The hospital offers several tips for parents: never leave children unattended near water; always designate a responsible adult for supervision; teach children to swim early; install barriers like fences with self-closing gates around pools; learn CPR for emergencies; and ensure everyone wears U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets in lakes and rivers.

These precautions can help prevent accidents as it only takes seconds for a child to drown.

Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa provides various inpatient and outpatient services including emergency care and trauma services. It serves as a regional referral center in the East Valley of metropolitan Phoenix. The medical campus also houses Banner Children's at Desert. Both facilities are part of Banner Health, Arizona's largest healthcare provider.

For more information about their services, visit bannerhealth.com/desert.