Trigger warning: contains a description of the death of a child.
In a moment of curiosity and independence, my son, Liam, took a leap that forever changed our lives. Just weeks shy of his second birthday, he wandered away from the safety of our home—and in that instant, tragedy struck.
It was the day we began moving boxes into my father’s house after the passing of my mother three months prior. I was in the kitchen, merely 20 feet away, while Liam was comfortably watching his favorite show, munching on raisins. My husband was busy in the garage with my father. The French doors leading to the backyard opened directly onto the in-ground pool, a detail I had taken for granted.
Liam had quietly slipped outside. When I returned to the room, he was gone. I called out, playfully searching for him, but the sound of a scream and a splash shattered the air moments later. My husband dove into the water, while my father called for help, and I stood frozen in disbelief. I can still hear my father’s frantic cry, “He’s in the pool! Oh no! He’s in the pool!”
I had never truly grasped the danger that came with living near a pool. In my conversations with my mother-in-law, who lives in Florida—a state notorious for child drownings—I reassured her that Liam would never be outside without supervision. Little did I know, my oversight would cost me everything.
Liam was a good boy, perhaps even more cautious than many toddlers his age. Just that morning, my father and I had discussed how much he adored being near me. I share this to emphasize that any parent can underestimate their child’s curiosity. I can’t recall if the door was locked, but had I been more aware of water safety, I would have taken the necessary precautions—just as we secure harmful substances under the kitchen sink, we must treat pools, ponds, and even small streams with the utmost seriousness.
According to the CDC, children aged 1 to 4 have the highest drowning rates, predominantly in residential pools. Drowning is the leading cause of death for this age group, surpassing even congenital conditions, and ranks as the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related fatalities for children ages 1 to 14, after car accidents.
If I had implemented proper water safety measures, like fencing, it’s likely Liam would still be with us today. The CDC reports that a four-sided isolation fence can reduce a child’s risk of drowning by 83% compared to three-sided property-line fencing. This became the foundation of a town ordinance named after Liam.
In the months following our loss, my husband and I found solace in our community, including a close relationship with our clergy. Exactly one year after the tragedy, our synagogue’s cantor approached us with news about her plans for a swimming pool. She learned about new fencing laws that had been enacted in our town, introduced in part due to the incident involving our son.
We were flooded with emotions and decided to inquire further. This led us to the Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review Board, which examines how such accidents could have been prevented. Liam’s case was presented to the board anonymously, and it was heart-wrenching to see his initials, L.C., scattered throughout the documents. We urged the committee to honor Liam publicly, and they agreed. Thus, the ordinance was officially named after him, mandating that all new pools must have a four-sided barrier with a locking gate. In a bittersweet way, it felt as though Liam’s spirit was alive again.
You might be thinking, “This could never happen to me. I’m vigilant. My child knows how to swim.” Yet, many mothers I’ve met since Liam’s passing have shared their own close calls—children escaping unnoticed, racing into the street, or accidents happening in the blink of an eye. Losing a child is a complex tragedy that’s challenging to discuss, especially for those fortunate to have their children safe. It’s every parent’s worst nightmare. However, I know that because of Liam, lives have been saved.
Please, I urge you to be vigilant around water. Educate yourself and ensure that all doors leading to pools are securely locked. Don’t assume it could never happen to you. For further insights on pregnancy and home insemination, check out this excellent resource on in vitro fertilisation.
In summary, the loss of my son serves as a poignant reminder of the critical importance of water safety for all parents. We must remain vigilant and proactive to prevent similar tragedies.