Drowning is the Leading Cause of Death in Young Florida Children

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), nearly 300 children under age five drown each year in residential swimming pools and spas. The CPSC also estimates that over 3,000 children under age five are treated at hospital emergency rooms for submersion injuries.

In the states of California, Arizona and Florida, drowning is the leading cause of accidental death in children under age five.

Clearly, a swimming pool can be a very dangerous place for young children. You can help to prevent Florida drowning and submersion injuries by doing the following:

• The first step to pool safety is to have a fence that completely surrounds the pool and is at least 4 feet high. The fence should be equipped with a self-closing, self-latching gate that is not accessible by young children.
• Install alarms on perimeter doors and windows.
• Install a floating pool alarm that alerts you when the surface of the water has been disturbed.
• Water train your children when they are old enough to understand water survival techniques. Also, do not consider young children to be “drown proof” because they have had swimming lessons. You should always keep a careful eye on young children when they are in or around a pool.
• Learn CPR and confirm that your babysitters are CPR certified.
• Keep rescue equipment and a telephone near the pool area.
• Remember that air-filled swimming devices such as inflatable armbands and inner tubes are not lifesaving devices and are not to be used as a substitute for an approved life vest.
• Remove all toys from the pool when you are not swimming. This will keep children from being tempted to reach for them.
• A power safety cover that meets American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards may add to the safety of your pool when it is not in use. Keep in mind, however, that this cover is not to be used in place of a fence. Drowning can still occur when a cover is in place.
• Never use a pool when the cover is partially in place as children may become trapped under it. Always remove the cover completely.
• Place chairs and tables far from the pool fence so that they may not be used to climb the fence and gain access to the pool.
• The best protection is constant supervision. Always be aware of where your children are at all times. Never leave children alone in or near a pool, even for a brief moment, as nearly 70% of drowning incidents occur when there is a lack of parental supervision.

A single moment of negligence can result in an irreversible injury or loss of life. You can prevent a Florida swimming pool accident by being especially vigilant and carefully watching your child at all times. Make sure all doors and gates are closed and locked when entering or exiting the pool area.

If a child you love has suffered an injury or death due to someone else’s negligence, including injuries resulting from an unmaintained pool, contact a Palm Beach injury attorney at Fetterman and Associates today. We will fight to ensure you receive just compensation for your child’s injuries.