Megan Ferraro Discusses Pool Safety on FOX 10 Phoenix

Understanding Drowning Risks This Summer

With summer in full swing and a recent spike in child drowning incidents in the Phoenix area, FOX 10 Phoenix invited The ZAC Foundation’s Executive Director Megan Ferraro and Phoenix Fire Department’s Captain Rob McDade for guidance on keeping children safe around the water.

Ferraro joined Phoenix Fire Department Captain Rob McDade on the broadcast to address a troubling local trend: two drownings and three near-drownings involving children in the Phoenix metro area in the span of a single month. The segment emphasized that layers of protection are critical for keeping young children safe.

Key Pool Safety Measures Every Family Should Know

Ferraro highlighted two key protective measures families can put in place. She pointed to the importance of four-sided isolation fencing, the type of fence that separates a pool from the rest of the backyard, as a critical barrier for young children. She also urged families to keep children in a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket or flotation device whenever they are near the water.

Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death in children ages 1 to 4. The Phoenix Fire Department noted that swimming lessons are widely available, with options in Phoenix costing as little as $3.

Watch the full interview at Fox 10 Phoenix.