CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows drownings in the U.S. are on the rise.
According to the report, over 4,500 people died from drowning each year in 2020-22. This is 500 more drowning deaths per year than in 2019.
With so many families expected to celebrate in pools during the Labor Day weekend, medical experts are offering advice that could be life-saving in an emergency.
Dr. Katherine Addison is a pediatrician for Novant Health. She says water safety is something families should take seriously year-round.
"When you're thinking about water safety, swimming safety and drowning prevention for children, it's going to be a multilayered approach," Addison said. "The most important aspect of preventing drowning is direct adult supervision."
"There is no substitute for direct supervision, but there are other things that we also like to try to add in to just further increase that safety, because sometimes things are unpredictable and you can't always predict how close that supervision is going to be, even with the best intentions," she said.
Addison says one thing parents should consider is the color of their child's swimsuit. She says swimwear may not be as visible as you think underwater.
This was supported by a swimsuit test conducted by ALIVE Solutions, which found darker colors like blue and teal aren't as visible underwater.
The test found brighter colors like neon yellow, green and orange show up best in dark pool-bottom environments.
"When you're talking about drowning, every second counts. If your direct supervision has failed and a child is submerged and you're trying to figure out exactly where they are, a brightly colored swimsuit might buy you a few extra seconds and potentially save a child's life," Addison said.
Laura Martin's son Silas has been one of Addison's patients since he was a baby.
Martin says she received the swimsuit color advice from Addison, after the worst almost happened in a pool.
Silas has epilepsy and experiences seizures.
On July 1, Silas was swimming in his favorite blue swimwear when he began to have a seizure.
"This was the first time in 10 years with Silas having seizures it ever happened in a pool," Martin said.
Martin was close by and called for the lifeguards before jumping into the pool to help save her son.
Silas recovered and is able to swim in the pool again.
"This was such a gift that we received that so many don't have the opportunity to happen," Martin said.
Martin says her family and the Shannon Park Swim Club community have always gone the extra mile to ensure Silas is safe in the pool. She says this additional piece of swimsuit color advice makes her feel better about her son's safety in water.
"She opened my eyes to what I can spread to the community," Martin said.
Now Silas has traded in his blue swimwear for the brighter colors.
"Silas has accepted it very well," Martin said.
Martin hopes more parents will take her story and swim color changes to heart.
"Not assuming or believing that it couldn't happen to your child. If I can save one life out there- I know some people out there may be aware [of the brighter colors recommendations] but I was not."