RALEIGH -- As the summer is heating up and more people are heading to the pool to cool off, experts say it’s important to have fun but also keep safety in mind.

A report released last year by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission found that on average, around 356 children under the age of 15 died in U.S. pool and spa drownings each year. That averages out to almost child death a day.

Spectrum News anchor Caroline Blair sat down with Sarah Chaires, a nurse practitioner, former national water sports competitor and founder of the Carolina Swims Foundation.  

Chaires' foundation helps foster children learn how to swim. But she says it’s important all children and adults learn the proper swimming techniques whether they ever plan to spend time around water or not. She also says it’s important to recognize people’s abilities in and out of the water and the importance of having a lifeguard on duty at all times.

For more information on the Carolina Swims Foundation, visit their website.

 

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