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South Florida mom reminds parents: Be vigilant when kids are in the pool

Posted at 1:17 PM, Apr 01, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-01 17:29:19-04

Julia and Josie Morrison love the water.

Any chance they get, they're swimming.

But tragically, their older brother Jake drowned about 6 years ago.

His mother Keri Morrison misses him every day.

"He was my world he was my first born," she says.

After this death, Keri made sure her girls had self-rescue lessons, where they learn if they fall into the water they can calmly float and keep their head above water. "So if they were to fall into a body of water, especially a pool they know to flip over and rest and scream for help."

Keri says as parents are home with their kids it's important for them to remember when it comes to pool safety, not to let their guard down.

"Children that are home during the day that are not normally home still go around and make sure the windows and doors are locked. If you have alarms, keep them on."

Along with watching over the young ones, Anna Stewart with the Drowing Prevention Coalition of Palm Beach County says everyone should also be cautious when near a body of water.

"Regardless of your age, race, gender, socio-economic background, we are surrounded by water. Particularly vulnerable are seniors. They have the highest drowning rate in Palm Beach County. And it's becasue they are by themselves in a body of water," Stewart says.

Children and adults using safe practices year round.

For information on the Live Like Jake Foundation, visit livelikejake.com.