Friday afternoon, families affected by drowning tragedies joined arms at Cook Children’s with physicians as well as firefighters from Fort Worth and surrounding fire departments. At a news conference organized by the hospital, they were urging parents to practice vigilance around water and protect their children from drowning. Unfortunately, their calls came directly before one of the worst weekends for pediatric drownings in recent history.

Already in May, 18 children have been admitted to Cook Children’s for drowning-related injuries and three did not survive. That’s more than double the numbers we’ve seen in the past five years.

This is also the first May since at least 2012 with drowning fatalities recorded at Cook Children’s.

“People need to actively supervise their children when they are in or even near water. This means designating a specific person who’s responsibility it is to watch the water without distraction,” said Dr. Warmink. “Teaching your children the dangers of water, having them learn to swim and parents learning CPR are also worthwhile.”

To prevent children from drowning, Cook Children’s experts recommend:

• Install four-sided fences with self-latching gates around pools
• Wear life vests with U.S. Coast Guard-approved labels
• Take family CPR lessons
• Create and follow all pool rules
• Use pool door/child alarms
• Always have an non-distracted adult act as a Water Watcher
• Schedule water safety and swim lessons
• Update pool drains and cleaning systems

For more information on how to implement this advice, please visit Cook Children’s Water Safety website.

Lifeguard Your Child 

It's time to make Texas #1 in drowning prevention. Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children ages 1 to 4, and the second leading cause for kids 1-14 in Texas. But with your help, we can change that. Please join us in our drowning prevention effort. Together, we can Lifeguard Your Child around water.

Want to know how you can get involved or create an awareness campaign in your community? Contact Dana Walraven, Safe Kids Tarrant County coordinator at 682-885-1619 or email safe.kids@cookchildrens.org.

I collect snow globes of cities I love. When my stepson, Sage, was little he would love to watch us shake them and watch the snow swirl violently around settling gently on the miniature cities. Shortly after starting kindergarten, I found Sage sitting on our couch holding a snow globe and looking really sad.

When I asked him what was wrong he held up the globe he was holding and shook it and in the softest voice said, "Look Sand... It's 9/11." I sat down next to him, took the Globe with the pre9/11 New York City skyline and sat it on the table. He put his hand in mine and we sat there watching the snow swirl around the miniature city.

I realized he thought the snow was paper and that he must have seen footage of that day somewhere. We have to talk to our children about 9/11.This day makes us feel sad and angry. Our hearts ache. The images haunt us. The pain is still so fresh.

How do we possibly explain this day to our children, most of whom weren’t even born when the towers fell. We want to protect our children and shield them from evil. But, no matter how hard we try, it is there. It will ALWAYS be there. The planes crashing. The towers falling. Our illusion of safety demolished.

First we must listen. Children are taught about 9/11 in school as a part of national history. They may want to express their thoughts and feelings. Let them talk. Listen to what they have to say.As you talk to your children, be age appropriate in your discussions. You do not need to tell your children graphic details.

Be honest. Answer the questions they ask. Correct any misperceptions they have.Try to focus your discussion on stories of resilience and hope. Talk about how the entire world responded to our country with support and love. Talk about the heroes of 9/11. If you lost a family member on that day, tell stories about how wonderful that person was and their importance in your life.Children want to know they are safe. Remind them about all the changes that have been made to make sure we are safe.

For younger children; it is important their world feel secure.Monitor TV and the Internet. On the anniversary of 9/11, many news outlets will show memorial coverage. Try to limit the coverage they see. There are many graphic images on the Internet as well. If your child sees an image that is upsetting, let them talk to you about their feelings. Tell them it upsets you as well. Remind them it is Ok not to watch or look at things that make them feel sad. Again, reassure them that they are safe.Discuss with your children that today should be about reflection and remembering, but also a day to tell those we love how much they mean to us. Take a moment today to reach out to others and teach your children to do the same.Walk in peace today and give thanks to those who are protecting us.

We will never forget.

About the author

Sandra Peak, M.D., joined Cook Childrens Physician Network in Lewisville in 2004. Dr. Peak enjoys gardening, yoga, and boating and in her spare time can be found at the lake with her husband Jay, stepson Sage and the world’s most amazing Lab, Sugar Mae.

For many families, the summer means boating and swimming season. But it can also mean danger, as one of the worst drowning weekends of the year. Please take these extra precautions for a safe, fun holiday.

1. Don’t drink and drive. This takes on dual meaning, both on the road and in the water. According to the Texas Parks & Wildlife website, open containers on boats are legal, but operators of boats are subject to boating while intoxicated laws, the same as driving a vehicle. “Operators or passengers may also be subject to public intoxication laws. Drinking and boating is DANGEROUS and the cause of most boating fatalities,” the site said.

2. You also need a license. You need to know how to operate your boat, just like a car. The course is $20. In Texas a person cannot operate a windblown vessel over 14 feet in length, a motorboat with more than 15 horsepower, or personal watercraft unless he/she:

• Was born on or after September 1, 1993 and has passed a boater education class or equivalency examination prescribed by the department.
• Is 18 years of age and can lawfully operate the motorboat and is on board the motor boat when underway.
• Is at least 13 years of age and have successfully completed a boater education course approved by the Department.

3. Kids don’t get on a personal watercraft without an adult. Children under 13 are specifically prohibited from operating a PWC unless accompanied on board by a person at least 18 years of age.

4. Life jackets are an absolute must!! Everyone on any watercraft at the lake should be outfitted with a jacket. When selecting a life jacket, size matters. Learn more from the Texas Parks & Wildlife site.

5. Teach your kids to swim. Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death in children ages 1 to 4 years old and the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for ages 1 to 14. Whether if it’s in a lake or a pool, your child needs to know how to swim. Learn more today or start them on swim lessons this weekend.