HOUSTON — The long Memorial Day weekend means people will be heading out for some fun in the sun down by the beach, a lake or a backyard pool.
Sadly, every year we hear how these activities turn deadly for kids.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated drownings are the second-leading cause of unintentional deaths behind car crashes in kids 14 years old and younger.
On Thursday, two families shared their tragic stories with the hopes they help others stay safe around water.
For instance, Jackson Bennett’s family called him the life of the party.
His mother, Jenny Bennett, said Jackson gave the best hugs and loved to swim.
“We encouraged him to love the water and sometimes I feel like our encouragement to be comfortable in the water over being safe may have contributed to his drowning,” Bennett said.
In the summer of 2016, the 18-month-old fell into the pool after he sneaked out of the house.
His parents found him face down in the water.
“I jumped in," Bennett said. "He was fully clothed. I pulled him out and started CPR.”
However, it was too late.
Bennett said her son would spend the next four days on life support before he was declared brain dead and later died.
Also, it’s a mother’s pain shared by Deonesia Grays.
This weekend will mark 14 years since her daughter, Bria, drowned at an apartment pool.
“Bria had never gone swimming before but she was very, very anxious,” Grays recalled. “One of the parents took the kids down and myself and another parent were behind with the towels and food. By the time I had already come downstairs the parent was screaming my name.”
Grays never thought this would happen to her.
“Needless to say that was her first time and her last time ever going swimming,” she exclaimed.
Harris County leaders, including Judge Lina Hidalgo and Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, are pushing for water safety heading into the summer.
At a Safer Kids Greater Houston event at Lake Houston, 91 bathing suits and swim trunks hung on a fence.
They represented the different ages and sizes of the 91 kids who drowned in Texas last year.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Colonel Lars Zetterstrom said 23 of those drownings happened in and around Harris County.
“That means that if those statistics continue we will lose a child this weekend if we are not vigilant,” Col. Zetterstrom said.
County officials hope the eye-opening display let’s parents know nothing can replace adult supervision when it comes to being around water.
“Believe it or not, it only takes 20 seconds for a child to drown if they’re left unattended," Col. Zetterstrom said.
He wants parents and kids to remember the slogan “Reach. Throw. Go."
If someone is in trouble first see if you can reach the them and pull them to safety.
If they’re out of reach, throw a flotation device if one is available.
Lastly, go get help.
Col. Zetterstrom said if you’re not trained to help, don’t jump in the water because you too can become a victim.
In addition, always have life jackets handy and test them out.
Make sure they meet safety standards and are the right size for your child.
Never let life jackets replace the watchful eye of an adult.
For free resources that include swim lessons, click here.
ALSO POPULAR ON KHOU.COM:
► Make it easy to keep up-to-date. Download the KHOU News app now.
Have a news tip? Email us or message us on our Facebook page or Twitter feed.