An investigation is underway after police say a toddler died after falling into an above-ground swimming pool at a Lansing home.
The 15-month-old boy was found unresponsive at a home on Teel Avenue.
He died at the hospital.
Lansing police say they believe the drowning was accidental.
Incidents like this are reminders on why it's important to make water safety a priority.
Especially, as it starts to get warmer outside more and more water parks and community pools will be opening for the season.
The East Lansing Family Aquatic Center opens its doors Saturday morning at 11 o'clock and many mid-Michigan families are getting ready to or have already opened their pools for the summer.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 350 children under the age of five drown in pools every year in the U.S. and most of the deaths happen in backyard pools between June through August.
Experts say one of the biggest mistakes parents make is they think they will hear lots of splashing or screaming if their child falls in the water.
Lauran Delangrange, Association Aquatics Director at the YMCA said, "It's a silent thing when kids slip under the pool, don't take your eyes off of them. Arms length away from you when they're in the pool and they have a coast guard approved life jacket on, still gotta make sure you have eyes on the kids."
Last week, Fox 47 reported the American Academy of Pediatrics released new guidelinesby recommending kids start learning to swim around the age of one instead of four.
According to the U.S.A Swimming Foundation, swim lessons can reduce the likelihood of drowning by as much as 88 percent.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
Download our free app for Appleand Android
and
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox.
Select from these options: Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines and Daily Forecasts.
