Sapulpa Family Holds Water Safety Event In Memory Of Toddler

Summer should be about fun in the sun, but one Green Country family knows how quickly something tragic can happen.

Thursday, the family of Kyndall Cooper, the little girl who drowned in her family pool, hosted a water safety day in Sapulpa and had some tips for both kids and parents.

Kyndall's family had just signed Kyndall up for swim lessons the day she died, and her family installed their backyard pool just the weekend before Kyndall drowned.

Now the family wants to do everything they can to prevent that from happening to another child.

Kyndall was at home, watching Barney in 2012, when she went in her backyard, unnoticed, and drowned in the family pool.

6/8/2015 Related Story: Sapulpa Family Promoting Water Safety After Toddler's Death

Three years later, Kyndall's mom, sister and aunts are dedicating the day to water safety.

Sapulpa firefighters showed off their swift water rescue gear.

"They keep enough life jackets with them. They keep a rope bag and a throw rope, you know, that they would throw across and they would use for a guide to help rescue or to help reach somebody," said Sapulpa Assistant Fire Marshal, Josh Wood.

Tulsa firefighter Tom Hufford shared some tips.

"Never swim alone. Always swim with a buddy. Have a water watcher, that's an adult to watch us swim," he said.

And, learn how to swim.

"Always wear a life jacket when you're in a boat. Stay away from pool drains because they could suck you down, they can pull in your clothes, they can pull in your hair. Stay away from drains in hot tubs or pools," Hufford said.

Jody Brownfield, Kyndall's aunt, said parents need to watch their kids and handed out water watcher lanyards to spread the message.

"You're not texting, you're not on the phone, you're not reading a book, you're not looking next to your friend talking. Your eyes are on the pool watching the kids and that's your commitment," she said.

Kids splashed their way through the afternoon, many of them, probably unaware of the meaning behind the day.

Brownfield hopes parents at the event get the biggest takeaway.

"Don't ever take for granted that someone else is watching your kids. Always keep an eye on your kiddos," Brownfield said.

They also got people signed up for free CPR lessons.

The family said they're already being asked to host a second water safety event.