MIAMI (CBSMiami) – May is National Water Safety Month.
Playing it safe means more than just knowing how to swim and staying out of the water in dangerous conditions.
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For one west coast Florida family, it meant checking the pool before diving in.
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The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office said a Deep Creek family was awakened by some noise coming from their backyard pool area and found a nearly 11-foot gator taking a dip.
Deputies managed to get it out of the pool. A trapper took it away.
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The family said the 550-pound big boy tore through the screened-in enclosure to get to the nice, cool water.