Danbury, Connecticut — Authorities are urging parents to keep an eye on their children this summer after a Connecticut girl nearly drowned in a backyard pool over Memorial Day weekend.
The incident occurred at a gathering in Danbury on Sunday, where a 9-year-old girl was found unconscious in a backyard swimming pool.
According to Danbury police, bystanders pulled the girl from the water and administered first aid, and by the time emergency responders arrived, she had regained consciousness and was breathing on her own.
“It was a holiday weekend and they're a very close family. I've never had any issues with them before so I was wondering why there were so many officers outside. But then I heard what happened and knew she was safe so I was very relieved,” said neighbor Alyssa Enright.
“Whenever a large group of people gather you hope someone is there to watch over them, but that's not always the case,” said nearby resident Susan Enright.
What parents should do when their children are swimming
Dr. Sherlita Amler, Westchester County Health Officer, said it's important to keep an eye on children when they're swimming.
“Appoint someone to be responsible for watching the kids, especially at municipal pools or pools with a lot of kids. Lifeguards are there as a second line of defense, not a first line of defense. The first line of defense should be the parents,” Amler said.
CPR can also be effective in a drowning situation.
About 4,500 people died by drowning each year from 2020 through 2022, about 500 more each year than in 2019, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC encourages parents to take advantage of free or low-cost swimming lessons available in almost all communities.