California Department Pushes For Safety Measures After Drownings

Rescue workers begged parents Wednesday to watch their children closely following a series of recent drownings and near-drownings involving children.

A toddler was in critical condition Wednesday after nearly drowning Tuesday evening in hot tub at a Sacramento apartment complex, officials reported.

Two other infants nearly drowned in a backyard pond Wednesday morning in Sacramento County, officials said. The infants were breathing and responsive when firefighters arrived.

"It's crazy," said Jim Doucette of the Sacramento Fire Department. "It's crazy."

In nearly all of the recent incidents, children were left unsupervised, officials said.

Experts said drowning is the fourth leading cause of accidental death in the United States, claiming about 4,000 lives a year. About one third of the victims are children under 14.

"Do three things: Watch your kids, watch your kids, watch your kids," said Duane Arend of Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District. "If you keep an eye on them, it's the best way to keep these things from happening."

Authorities are urging property owners and parents to take special precautions to make sure children do not enter pools and hot tubs alone. Officials at the Red Cross are offering CPR classes.

Firefighters responded Tuesday to reports of a 3-year-old found in a spa at an apartment on Gateway Oaks Drive.

The child was not breathing, but a nurse who lives in the complex was able to perform CPR. The child was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Authorities said several similar incidents have also taken place recently:

A 3-year-old boy drowned June 7 in a swimming pool in Sacramento County
A 17-month-old girl drowned June 5 in North Highlands after being left alone near a pool
A boy swimming in the American River near Discovery Park drowned on May 18

The Red Cross offers the following water-safety advice: