WATERVILLE, Ohio — Keeping small children safe around water is a critical concern for most parents. For the family of a local family who lost their 2-year-old daughter to drowning in 2021, helping other families avoid tragedy has become a mission.
"She drowned in our backyard pond while a family friend was watching her and since then we have really been on a mission to educate our community about layers of protection," said Michelle Fox, the mother of Logan Fox.
To honor their child's life, the Fox family founded Because of Logan, a program to teach Infant Swimming Resource swim lessons to families with young children.
The organization has raised money for ISR swim scholarships and spreads awareness on water safety and helping children self-rescue in the water.
Fox said after learning that drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4, she believes it's knowledge everyone should know.
"Above 90 percent of children with autism who have passed, is because of a drowning accident," she said. "So ISR is amazing because the program has had kids who may not have both of their arms may not have their legs may not have working parts of their body. So, there's really no limitations and your child, no matter their ability, can learn some lifesaving skills."
The Fox family said Because of Logan has a year full of events planned. The nonprofit also now has a new place to host these events.
Her community, including local a fire station, came together to build an indoor swimming pool for the group. Fundraising also allowed for Fox and her husband to receive ISR training.
They recently opened their own training facility, and they are also adding cameras that will detect if there is something or someone in the pool. The camera technology will notify them of pool activity through a digital app.
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