PHOENIX — Two toddler girls died after they were pulled from a backyard pool Thursday afternoon near 67th Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road, officials say.
The Phoenix Fire Department said two toddlers were found unresponsive in the pool. Their father called 911 and attempted to give both girls CPR until medics arrived. Both children were quickly transported to a pediatric hospital.
Both girls later died, according to Phoenix police. They've been identified as 3-year-old Valentina Ruiz and 3-year-old Penelope Ruiz.
Police said investigators have found "nothing suspicious" at the scene and the drownings appears to have been "accidental."
"It's a tremendous loss for this family and this community," Rob McDade, PIO with the Phoenix Fire Department said.
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: 2 niños en estado crítico luego de que los sacaran de una piscina en Phoenix
Drowning Prevention Tips
Drowning is the leading cause of death for children between ages 1-4 aside from birth defects, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Three children die every day as a result of drowning. Here are some tips from the CDC on how to protect children around water:
Learn life-saving skills.
Everyone should know the basics of swimming (floating, moving through the water) and CPR.
Fence it off.
Install a four-sided isolation fence, with self–closing and self–latching gates, around backyard swimming pools. This can help keep children away from the area when they aren’t supposed to be swimming. Pool fences should be completely separate the house and play area from the pool.
Life jackets are a must.
Make sure kids wear life jackets in and around natural bodies of water, such as lakes or the ocean, even if they know how to swim. Life jackets can be used in and around pools for weaker swimmers too.
Keep a close watch
When kids are in or near water (including bathtubs), closely supervise them at all times. Because drowning happens quickly and quietly, adults watching kids in or near water should avoid distracting activities like reading books, talking on the phone, or using alcohol and drugs.
Water safety
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