Tragic news has emerged from Arizona, where the 3-year-old son of TikTok influencer Emilie Kiser has died after being pulled from a backyard pool nearly a week ago.
Police confirmed that Trigg Kiser passed away on Sunday, six days after he was found unresponsive in the water. Officials said that emergency crews responded to a 7 p.m. call at a Chandler home where they performed CPR on the scene.
Kiser, known for sharing moments of motherhood and family life on the social media app, has not publicly commented on the incident.
In light of tragedies like this, Alabama residents are reminded of the importance of water safety, especially as summer approaches. Here’s what to know about protecting children around water:
Drowning is the leading cause of death in children ages 1 to 4
Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 years, the CDC says.
It can take just moments and as little as one inch of water for a child to drown. According to Alabama Public Health, 88% of children who drowned were under some form of supervision and had been out of sight for less than five minutes.
How to help prevent drownings
To help prevent drownings, CDC and Alabama Public Health experts have outlined key safety recommendations for parents and caregivers.
Always watch children closely when they’re in or near water. Never leave them unsupervised
Enroll kids in formal swim lessons to help them build water safety skills
Install a four-sided fence around pools to keep children from accessing water unsupervised
Remove pool toys when not in use. They can tempt children to reach for them and fall in
Use life jackets or approved personal flotation devices when around lakes, rivers or the ocean
Don’t rely on inflatable toys or foam floaties. They are not safety devices and won’t prevent drownings
Make water safety a family conversation. Teach kids the rules and help them understand why it matters
What is the drowning rate in Alabama?
Drowning death rates vary across the U.S., but Alabama’s numbers are above the national average. Between 2018 and 2021, the CDC reported an age-adjusted drowning death rate of 1.31 per 100,000 people nationwide. In Alabama, that number was higher at 1.57 deaths per 100,000.
Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: TikTok star’s loss highlights need for child water safety in Alabama