Illinois has recorded 10 child drownings this spring and summer. That's prompted the state's child welfare agency to remind parents about the need to use caution and keep a watchful eye.
"When we're talking about an infant or a toddler, we talk about touch supervision or reach supervision. Which means you never let that child get any farther away from you than you can reach out your hand to grab them if they need your help," said Jennifer Florent with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
She said most all child drownings can be prevented through actively supervising them in the water.
DCFS also recommends teaching kids to swim, having floatation devices and putting water barriers in place are also important.
"If your child goes missing and there is water anywhere nearby, always check the water first," Florent said. "It happens so quickly and in a drowning incident, seconds really do count."
