A close call in southwest Phoenix had emergency crews rushing to a neighborhood near 67th Avenue and Baseline Road after a 3-year-old boy nearly drowned in a backyard swimming pool. The child was reported to be in critical condition following the incident.

The Phoenix Fire Department responded to the scene around 2:15 p.m. and found the boy conscious and breathing, as reported by ABC15. A family member had quickly performed CPR, potentially turning to save the child's life. However, details on the duration the toddler spend underwater were not immediately available.

After receiving initial aid, the boy was transported to a pediatric hospital for further evaluation. Local officials have not released any updates on his condition since he was admitted in critical care.

In light of this incident, safety experts remind the public of the importance of vigilance around pools and other bodies of water, particularly with children involved. According to information obtained by 12News, drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4, aside from birth defects. "Everyone should know the basics of swimming (floating, moving through the water) and CPR", they advise, highlighting that these life-saving skills can make all the difference.

As families are starting to frequently turn to enjoy the warmer weather by the water, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests installing a four–sided isolation fence with self–closing and self–latching gates around backyard swimming pools. This measure can help prevent such tragedies by keeping children away from the pool area when unsupervised.