ABERDEEN, Miss. (WTVA) --Some recent incidents involving children and swimming have local emergency responders taking extra precautions about water safety with the upcoming holiday.
Park Ranger Joseph Ponder with the US Army Corps of Engineers spent Monday posting signs reminding swimmers to be safe.
"It just takes that much water for a child or anybody to drown," said Ponder.
Father of four Wylee Rogers said his family loves swimming and when they get the time they head to the beach.
Even though water playtime is a splash for the entire family, Rogers said he doesn't play when it comes to safety.
"Let them play. Let them have fun but keep your eyes on them. I see so many parents that are just going off doing their own thing while their kids are in the water and that's when the kids get into trouble," Rogers said.
Statistics show drowning is the second leading cause of accidental deaths among children under 14 and the leading cause of accidental death for children age 5 and under. Ponder said it is also an accident that can be prevented.
"It's very important that you swim in a designated area and know where you are and what kind of conditions you are in. I would just nearly say all drownings could be prevented with a life jacket," said Ponder.
Ponder said if you notice someone having problems in the water and you don't know how to swim remember "reach-throw -don't go."
"What you want to do is throw out a flotation device or get a pole and reach to them and pull them into safety but don't go in. A lot of cases people have drowned trying to help somebody who was in trouble," said Ponder.
