By Philip Haldiman
Mail | Twitter: @PhilipHaldiman

It’s pool season in Arizona. Unfortunately, this is also the time of year when drowning incidents increase.

Drowning is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths in children. By following some simple rules, you can ensure your family has a fun, safe summer.

Nothing replaces constant eye-to-eye supervision of children. When you turn your back, shift your attention, start a conversation or check your phone — this is when drowning can happen.

Make sure to block access to pools. Walk the perimeter of the house and look for ways a child can gain access to the pool. Make sure the pool fence is self-locking and latching. Look for household items children can use to climb the fence and make sure children cannot open doors or squeeze through doggie doors.

Lastly, make sure to teach your children to swim. Swim lessons for children and adults are offered by the city of Peoria.

Visit www.peoriaaz.gov/aquatics to learn more.

Philip Haldiman
News Editor | Peoria
@PhilipHaldiman

phaldiman@iniusda.org

Philip Haldiman is a third generation Arizona native with brief residencies on the east and west coasts. He has bachelor’s degrees in Theater and Journalism at Arizona State University, and is an award winning journalist with more than a decade’s worth of experience in reporting and editing. Most recently, he was honored for excellence in education reporting 2020 from the Arizona School Public Relations Association. In his free time, he produces an autobiographical comic book about his time spent in Hollywood and his life as a cult film star.