Social media influencer Emilie Kiser has made an emotional plea to parents worldwide, urging them to implement stringent water safety measures exactly six months after her three-year-old son, Trigg, tragically drowned in their family pool.
A Preventable Tragedy
The devastating incident occurred on May 12 at the family's home in Arizona. Three-year-old Trigg was left unsupervised in the backyard for just nine minutes, during which he spent seven minutes underwater. His father, Brady Kiser, was at home watching Trigg and his newborn brother Theodore at the time.
According to police reports obtained by People magazine, phone records revealed that Brady had placed a sports bet mere minutes before Trigg fell into the water. Despite recommendations from Maricopa County police, Brady faced no criminal charges following the incident.
A Mother's Heartbreaking Account
Since returning to social media in September, Kiser has consistently expressed her profound regret and taken full responsibility for the tragedy. In a candid post shared yesterday, the 26-year-old reflected on what she would have done differently.
"I take full accountability as Trigg's mother, and I know I should have done more to protect him," Kiser confessed in one social media post. "I will forever second guess that decision, among many others," she added, referring to not being home when the accident occurred.
Urgent Safety Recommendations
Kiser issued a desperate warning to all parents, emphasising that "drowning is quick and preventable" and represents the leading cause of death for children aged 1-4 in the United States.
Her comprehensive safety recommendations include:
- Installing pool fences, including additional barriers over existing protection like nets or automatic covers
- Using pool alarms and automatic closers for doors leading outside
- Implementing constant supervision, stating "No amount of supervision is too much or 'helicopter parenting'"
- Enrolling children in swim lessons from six months old
Kiser highlighted Harvard Health research showing that swim lessons can save children's lives, with toddlers as young as one capable of learning to keep their head above water.
Remembering Trigg
Following the accident, Trigg was found unconscious and airlifted to Phoenix Children's Hospital, where he was declared dead six days later.
In her recent emotional post, Kiser vowed to keep her son's memory alive, writing: "I miss him with every fiber of my being. Every ounce of me yearns to hold him again." She added, "I love him forever, and I hope I can spread even an ounce of the joy he gifted to us and everyone he crossed paths with each day."
The grieving mother concluded with a powerful message to other parents: "Please take every precaution possible around water with your children. I know statistically Trigg's drowning won't be the last, and more have happened since."
