With the Fourth of July holiday approaching, safety experts are warning families that drowning can happen in seconds and that most tragedies are preventable.
The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services reported that 88 Texas children drowned last year. The children ranged in age from 4 months to 17 years old.
So far this year, the state has received 37 drowning reports, with more than half involving children 4 years old and younger.
Officials said the best protection is constant adult supervision, swimming lessons and making sure every child knows basic water safety. They also recommend that children always let someone know where they are going, know how to swim — especially if they are going to be by themselves or with friends — and know how to call for help.
The Texas Department of Public Safety also recommends installing four-sided pool fencing, keeping phones close by in case of an emergency, and never leaving children unattended around any body of water, even for a moment.