Parents, please be careful when your toddlers are near the poll. A father took his eyes off his kids for just a few seconds and almost lost his daughter as a result.
Warning: The following video contains disturbing imagery.
A recent security camera footage from Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, serves as a powerful reminder of the crucial steps parents must take to ensure the safety of their children around pools. The incident captured on the footage not only underscores the potential dangers but also showcases the bravery of a toddler who protected her younger sister.
On Friday, April 1, Kana Kanuengnit, 3, and her 2-year-old sister, Kaning, were near their family’s pool while their father, 29-year-old Apisit, supervised them. Their mother was inside the house at the time.
Apisit shared his account of the incident, stating that he was sweeping near the pool while his wife was cooking in the kitchen. Unbeknownst to him, his younger daughter accidentally fell into the 4-foot-deep pool. However, Kana, the older sister, immediately recognized the danger and urgently called out to her father, who had his back turned as he continued sweeping near the patio furniture.
Realizing the urgency in her sister’s voice, Apisit swiftly responded. “I didn’t know what to do, I forgot to think about my phone and things in my pocket. I threw it all and just jumped in the pool,” he said. With remarkable speed, he rescued Kaning from the water, ensuring her safety.
Apisit hopes that the harrowing video serves as a wake-up call for parents everywhere. “I think this is a great example to remind people that you cannot take your eyes off, even for a split second when there are children and water,” he emphasized.
He urged parents with small children and pools to either install barriers or maintain constant vigilance to prevent such incidents.
This incident evokes memories of another similar event covered by Upworthy in 2020. A 3-year-old boy named Henrique from Rio de Janeiro found himself in a perilous situation while playing poolside with another child, Arthur, of the same age. In the captured video, Henrique can be seen reaching for an inflatable toy before accidentally falling into the pool. For a tense 10 seconds, he struggles to keep his head above water until Arthur bravely extends his hand and pulls him to safety. Arthur’s quick thinking and actions potentially saved both boys from a disastrous outcome.
As summer approaches and children spend more time around pools, it is crucial for parents to prioritize pool safety. Shockingly, approximately 400 children aged 15 and younger lose their lives each year in pool or spa incidents. Tragically, 75% of these deaths involve children under the age of 5, and 83% occur in residential pools.
To protect children and ensure their well-being, parents must follow three essential rules:
- Never leave a child unattended in or near water, whether it’s a pool, spa, or any other body of water.
- Install proper barriers around the pool or spa to prevent unsupervised access by children.
- Learn how to perform CPR on both children and adults, as this life-saving skill can make a significant difference in emergency situations.
By adhering to these guidelines and maintaining constant vigilance, parents can significantly reduce the risks associated with water-related accidents and create a safer environment for their children.
Video is below.
