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Grandmother Posts Warning About Life Vest That Nearly Drowned Toddler

Facebook/Holly Mueller

With the summer season finally here, most people are taking advantage of the warm temperatures and sunny weather.  

However, this means families have to start taking extra precautions in the summer heat, especially if they have young, vulnerable children. Even if you turn your back for a split second, a disaster can occur.  

One grandmother from Henderson, Nevada knows this all too well and is now issuing a warning to other caretakers about a potentially dangerous flotation device.

Holly Mueller said she and her husband Daniel were enjoying an afternoon in the pool with their grandchildren when two-year-old Marissa nearly drowned.

Mueller said when Daniel placed their granddaughter int the water she immediately flipped over with her face unable to turn away from the water.

"The [life jacket] immediately flipped her on her face," Mueller explained. "I jumped in the water. My husband had his attention away from her for half a second and it happened. My husband grabbed her. It was extremely scary. I was shaking and my husband was shaking."

Although Marissa was fine, the worried grandparents couldn't get the almost-accident out of their head, so they decided to film a recreation of the incident as an advisory against the life vest.

Mueller captioned the Facebook video: "What ever you parents of young children please do not use this life jacket it is so very dangerous."

However viewers were quick to point out Marissa was actually wearing a buoyancy aid instead.

"It's not a life jacket, it's meant for floating. ONLY. If you want a certified life jacket you will see OTPS," one of the thousands of commenters wrote.

According to the product's manufacturer, SeaSafe Systems' website, there is often confusion between the purpose of the two flotation devices.

"Buoyancy aids cannot be guaranteed to turn an unconscious body over and it will not support your body in the water," the site read. "Life jackets, if properly worn and in good condition, are designed to keep your airways clear of water, even if you are unconscious or injured."

Although there was a misunderstanding over the two different products, Mueller has made sure to get her intended message across: always double check to make sure a safety device has the ability to protect your child.

"Test every life jacket and make sure it works right before you depend on it," Mueller continued. "Other parents need to know about this. I just want parents to be safe."

For tips on how to stay safe this summer, check out these helpful guides:

[H/T: People]

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