The Sylas Project

Today is Sylas’ 7th birthday 🤍🦊

My angel is in heaven and we miss him more than words can ever express. Over the years I have reflected on how life has changed and what this journey has taught me.

Even when life feels completely broken, God is still there. He sends signs. He carries us through what feels impossible.

One of the biggest lessons I have learned is how powerful education is for parents. When you are a new parent, the information and guidance you receive can shape decisions that affect your child’s future in ways you may not realize at the time.

I wish I had known how quickly these accidents happen.

That is why I created The Sylas Project — to educate families about water safety and help prevent childhood drownings through awareness, education, and layers of protection.

Advocating for stronger safety measures became deeply personal to me. After losing Sylas, I became a distributor though to bring the highest quality pool barrier to families so more children are protected. What started from heartbreak has become a way for our family to turn awareness into action. If you are local to Miami or Fort Lauderdale, it would truly be an honor for our family to help protect yours.

Love does not end when someone is gone. It continues to grow.

For Sylas’ birthday, I am asking something from every person reading this.

If you have a pool without a pool fence, please install one.
If your parents or grandparents have a pool without one, please talk to them.
If you know a friend with a pool, please send them this post.

In the United States, hundreds of children lose their lives to accidental drowning every year. The Sylas Project exists to reduce that number, and awareness is where prevention begins.

The most powerful thing you can do today is share this post.

Share it to your story.
Send it to one parent.
Start one conversation about water safety.

If one family installs a barrier, learns the risks, or adds a layer of protection because of Sylas’ story, then his life continues to save others 💙

If you take one thing from this post, it’s this: Don’t wait.

The headlines don’t stop. Another child gone. Another drowning. Another family waking up in a nightmare that never ends.

One small shift in the routine. One unlocked door. One tiny distraction. And life is never the same.

I remember the early days after losing Sylas. It felt like life was over. Every breath was hard.

If you’re a parent or a grandparent, please—don’t wait to protect what matters most.

I hear people say they’re waiting on the fence. They want it to look a certain way. They don’t want to ruin the view. But nothing ruins a view like losing your child. I say this because I know what that pain feels like. It breaks you. To your core.

Safety has to come first. One layer isn’t enough.

✅ Professionally install a min 4ft tall pool fence that fully blocks access from house to water—even if your child has taken swim lessons. Add a self closing entry gate. Do your research on quality. Many companies say they sell a strong pool fence without any proper testing certifications. That’s a red flag.
✅ Add door alarms so you know the second a door opens.
✅ If your child can crawl, they can start survival swim. Find a program that teaches independent floating first—not play-based group classes. And never trust an instructor who throws kids in the pool.
✅ Always remove toys from the pool after swim time
✅ Remove pet doors leading to water
✅ Learn CPR. It buys time when seconds matter.

Never assume this can’t happen to your family.

We were cautious. We baby-proofed everything. We had called a fence company. But we waited. Then Covid delayed things. That one delay on a Friday morning… it shattered our world.

I now know what I didn’t know then. And I would give anything to go back.

Drowning is the #1 cause of death for kids 1–4.

If you’re reading this, act today. And please share this with someone you love. You might save a life. 💙

🌴 Vacation Water Safety: Tips for Parents pt 1

Whether you’re heading to a vacation home, hotel, or Airbnb, water safety starts before you arrive. Here’s what to pack, check, and practice to keep little ones safe:

🔍 Before You Book: Check Safety Barriers

🏡 Does the home have a pool fence? Look for a fully enclosed fence with a self-closing, self-latching gate. If none are in place, consider choosing a different listing if you can.

🚪 Secure doors & exits and make it very very hard for little ones to wander outside unnoticed. Use door alarms (loud ones!), high locks and k**b covers to prevent toddlers from slipping outside unnoticed.

🎒 What to Pack for Water Safety

🦺 USCG-Approved Life Vest anytime they are near open water like oceans or lakes. Ensure the right fit for their height & weight! And make sure to test it out before heading on the trip to make sure it puts them face up and not face down.

🔊 Pool & Door Alarms – If the rental lacks safety barriers, a portable pool alarm adds an essential layer of protection.

👀 Water Watcher Lanyard – Drowning is silent. Rotate a designated adult every 30 minutes for focused supervision.

🎽 Bright Swimwear – Neon colors like orange, pink, and yellow make kids more visible in water for faster response in emergencies.

🚸 Teach Water Boundaries and Self Rescue

✅ Establish clear rules – Teach toddlers to ask for permission before entering the water.

✅ Enroll in self-rescue swim lessons – These lessons help young children learn how to float and breathe if they fall into water.

✅ Set group safety habits – When one child exits the pool to dry off, all kids sit away from the water.

Water safety isn’t just one thing—it’s layers of protection that work together. Stay prepared, informed, and alert so your vacation stays fun and worry-free. 💙

Tag or share with a parent who is planning a vacation soon 👇