YMCA shares water-safety tips after Lexington near-drowning incident sends child to hospital

A child was taken to the hospital Wednesday after a near-drowning incident at 3650 Tates Creek Road in Lexington, according to the Lexington Fire Department. Crews were called to the scene at about 1:40 p.m., and the child’s mother told WKYT that the boy is okay.

WKYT reported that the incident was the third near-drowning in Lexington this month. In the wake of the latest call, the YMCA shared reminders for families about how to reduce risk in and around pools and other bodies of water, particularly for young children who may not be able to recognize danger or call for help.

The YMCA’s guidance focused on prevention measures that can be put in place during swimming and around water access points. The nonprofit emphasized the importance of supervision, safe barriers and attention to who is watching children during water activities, along with practical steps such as ensuring children are prepared for the environment and that caregivers are able to respond quickly if problems arise.

Fire and emergency responders continued to treat near-drowning as a public safety issue that often involves small windows of time when a child can get into trouble. Local officials and water safety organizations commonly urge families to avoid distractions and maintain active supervision, especially when multiple children are present or when adults are managing other tasks.

For families, the immediate concern after a near-drowning incident is monitoring and medical evaluation, which in this case included transport to a hospital following the 1:40 p.m. response. WKYT said the child’s mother reported that the boy was okay, but the incident again underscored the need for caregivers to be prepared for emergency steps when a child is submerged or struggling.

The YMCA’s follow-up messaging arrives as Lexington continues to see repeated near-drowning events reported within the same month, according to WKYT. The organization’s safety reminders are intended to support day-to-day decisions in homes and community facilities where children may be around water, including steps that help reduce the likelihood that an accident becomes more serious.