LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky has seen a sharp rise in drownings.

According to data from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, there have been 14 drownings in lakes, reservoirs, and streams across the commonwealth since May 23. So far this year there have been 33 drownings in state waterways, which surpassed the total number of drownings from all of 2019 (32).

With pools now scheduled to open at the end of June, parents and guardians need to keep an eye on their children to ensure their safety in any body of water.

“I think if you talk to anybody that works in the hospital and emergency medicine,” said Dr. Brit Anderson, a pediatric emergency medicine physician with Norton Children’s Hospital. “We all know that awful cry of a parent that just has lost a child.”

In the United States, approximately 800 children drown each year, and it’s the number 1 cause of accidental death in children ages 1 to 4, according to SafeKids.org. As two-thirds of these drownings occur from May to August, the summer months are especially important to make sure your children are safe as they have more access to large bodies of water.

According to the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, nearly 90 percent of child drownings happen when at least one adult is present.

“Supervision is paramount. There is a bit of a myth that it is obvious when someone is drowning. The reality is that children and people can drown quickly and quietly.”

Here are some safe swimming reminders:

• Don’t swim alone, especially children. Use the buddy system so there’s always someone looking out for you and loved ones.
• At least one adult should supervise children around water at all times. Don’t let yourself get distracted by talking with friends, reading, drinking, or alcohol or using your phone when it’s your turn to supervise. Adult supervisors should be trained in CPR.
• If you own a pool, make sure it has a fence surrounding it, separating it from the house.
• Teach children lifesaving skills, such as how to float on their back, tread water, and move to the side of the pool to climb out.
• Don’t rely on inflatable toys and water wings to keep a child safe. Children can easily fall off of toys or slide out of wings and slip under the water. If the child is using inflatables, you should be right there with a child, especially if he or she cannot swim.