Arizona Mother Honors 4-Year-Old Son with Memorial Walk to Promote Pool Safety
San Tan Valley, AZ – Ashley Ackerman, a San Tan Valley mother, is turning her personal tragedy into a mission to prevent future drownings. In March 2022, her 4-year-old son, Braxton, tragically drowned in their backyard pool. To honor his memory and raise awareness about water safety, Ackerman is organizing the second annual Super "B-Dog" Memorial 5K and Walk on April 27 at Desert Mountain Park in Queen Creek. The event aims to fund swim lessons and pool fence installations for local families. (12news.com)
Drowning is the leading cause of death for children aged 1-4 in the United States. In response to a recent uptick in such incidents in the Phoenix metro area, Ackerman is advocating for "layers of protection" to enhance pool safety. These measures include self-latching gates, constant supervision, CPR training, and educating children on water safety. "When you bundle them together, and you realize the more you have, the safer you are," Ackerman stated. (abc15.com)
Through her nonprofit, Swim4Braxton, Ackerman is committed to funding swim lessons and pool fence installations for families in the Valley. She emphasizes the importance of proactive safety measures to prevent future tragedies. "It needs to be louder, the prevention aspect needs to be louder," she said. (12news.com)
The upcoming memorial walk serves as a poignant reminder of the critical need for vigilance and preventive measures to ensure the safety of children around water.
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