At approximately 2:56 p.m. today, Merced Police and medical personnel responded to the Creekside Apartments located at 2813 Park Avenue, for a possible drowning of a kid.

Officers arrived on scene and found the child breathing and alert. Nothing major happened, but we would like to remind the community on water safety this summer while swimming.

Drowning is a leading cause of unintentional injury death among children 1–14 years old.

In fact, drowning kills more young children 1–4 years old than anything else except birth defects.

Of drowning victims who survive and are treated in emergency rooms, more than half are hospitalized or transferred for further care.

They often experience brain damage, which can cause memory problems, learning disabilities, or permanent loss of basic functioning (or permanent vegetative state).

Swimmers can prevent fatal and non-fatal drowning by learning swimming skills, by wearing life vests, and by swimming under the close supervision of parents, caregivers, or lifeguards who know cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Remember: Think Healthy. Swim Healthy. Be Healthy! This summer year-round, let’s follow CDC’s Steps of Healthy Swimming to protect ourselves and our loved ones from illness and injury when swimming or playing in the water.