Potentially Life-Saving App Gives Parents Peace Of Mind During Summer Swimming Season
NEW YORK(CBSNewYork) -- Swim season is in full swing, but taking your eyes off of your children for even a second can lead to tragedy.
Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children under the age of four, but your smartphone can help you keep your kids safe when they're in the water.
"My 3-year-old went underneath the water and she was there for like 15 seconds before anybody realized," Gina Criscitiello told CBS 2's Elise Finch.
Cristiciello was able to rescue her daughter quickly and the child was not injured, but the incident prompted her to do some research.
She found out that new drowning prevention systems will turn her smartphone into an alarm if her daughter ever found herself in danger again.
ISwimBands are wearable sensors that can be worn on the wrist by non-swimmers and as headbands for other children.
"You put a wearable sensor on your child and if your child remains under water too long the alert goes off on your smartphone, or if a non-swimmer enters the water an alert goes off on your smartphone."
The band comes with a free companion app that will sound an alarm on your chosen device after being submerged for 20 seconds.
For the youngest children the band is worn on the wrist and goes off after just 3 seconds.
"I wish I had this because I had my phone on me the whole time. I didn't have an eye on her the whole time," Cristiciello said, "If it goes off in my laptop or my iPad or iPhone or whatever that would be awesome it would just be an extra sense of security."
Parents at a pool party told CBS 2's Finch that they are watching their children very closely, but that it's still nice to know that there are devices to help them keep their children safe.
"Accidents happen, and to have that alarm go off and everyone's got their phone out, you can hear it, it's a lifesaver," Kara Frees-Spoganetc said.
The devices range in price from $99 to $400, a small price to pay to prevent a child from drowning.
The drowning prevention devices can be purchased online and at select sporting goods and swim stores.
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