Pet door a potential danger for children

DEAR DR. BRAZELTON: I am writing to call your attention to a little-known danger to some children. On May 18, 1998, my 2 1/2 -year-old nephew, he crawled through the family pet's door, jumped into the swimming pool and drowned.

Efforts to save his life were futile; valuable time was lost as his mother searched the interior of the house, not thinking about the exit the pet door offered.

Our family would like to gain your assistance in making this incident the last one to occur. Please alert your readers to this potential danger and help us to, hopefully, save a child's life. -- B.S., Dallas DEAR B.S.: What a terrible tragedy! It's one I've never heard of before, so thank you for alerting us all to the danger of pet doors. Parents need to remember that a child this age will identify with and copy a family pet. Swimming pools are indeed dangerous and need every kind of safeguard one can provide.

Your nephew's poor mother must be devastated. I hope your warning will be taken seriously by all parents of small children.