Expect to see a new series of Billboards around Houston this summer addressing a hazard that many Houstonians face on a regular basis in the Texas summertime.  The new YMCA Water Wise PSA billboards will be revealed on May 24th, 2012, at a press conference to take place at 10:30 a.m. at the Remington Apartment Complex, 5510 S. Rice, Houston.

The Houston Apartment Association, whose representatives will also be participating int he conference, will be providing funding for more than 3,600 free swim lessons at local Houston apartments. All of this news and awareness comes on the heels of a string of pool-related drowning and near drownings in the Houston area that underline the need for more awareness.

The Harris County Sheriff’s Office and Child Protective Services are still investigating a 6-year-old boy’s drowning death that occurred May 19, 2012  around 6 in the evening at the Trails at Dominion Park Apartments located on Dominion Park Drive in north Houston.  Apparently the child was pulled from the bottom of a crowded pool and rushed to a Northwest Houston Hospital where the boy died.

Earlier this month on the early afternoon of May 6th, 2012, a five-year-old girl was involved in a near-drowning incident at another Northwest Houston apartment complex–the Champions Woods Apartments, 6800 Champions Plaza Drive, Houston, Texas. Cypresswood EMS responded and took the girl to the hospital.

Jasmin Brown, a 6-year-old girl, drown on May 4th around 6:30 p.m. at the Oakmoor Apartments, 11900 Oakmoor Parkway in Houston, Texas.  This apartment complex drowning occurred while Ms. Brown was at the apartment visiting relatives.  The relatives were also in the pool at the time.  Despite CPR attempts, emergency responders were unable to resuscitate her after she was pulled from the pool.

These recent incidents highlight the need for more education and awareness of the dangers pools pose to children and why it is important to be sure the places your children swim are adequately staffed with qualified lifeguards and safety equipment. Bringing your own life jacket when visiting a new or unfamiliar pool is also a good way to protect your child when going to an unfamiliar apartment complex pool where supervision may be little or absent.  For more information on water safety and swimming instruction, visit the YMCA’s website or attend the press conference on May 24th.

Have a cool and safe summer!