An 11-year-old Cincinnati boy drowned Sunday while vacationing with his family at a South Carolina resort.
Trenton Piper had been at Beach Colony Resort when he drowned, according to Horry County Coroner's Office spokesman Chris Dontell. He was later pronounced dead at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center.
Myrtle Beach police are investigating the incident, but no charges have been filed.
Because summer means more people will be swimming and spending time around bodies of water, local first responders with the North East Fire Collaborative shared some tips to prevent drownings:
- Supervision: eyes on the kids at all times.
- Improve swimming ability with professional swimming lessons.
- Fence in backyard pools, make it a hassle for anyone to get in.
- Use additional alarms- install a door alarm, a window alarm or both to alert you.
- Remove access to above-ground pools-totally secure.
- Empty inflatable pools and store them upside down and out of children’s reach.
- Enforce swimming rules with zero tolerance
- Beware of water drains.
- Swim in designated areas only. No life guard? No swimming.
- Educate children about the dangers open water
- Use proper swimming aids, Coast Guard approved-not toys. "Floaties" are not drowning prevention devices.
- Wear approved life jackets when boating
- Watching kids? No alcohol, no drugs; eyes on them at all times.
