Staying Safe for Summer
It’s that time of year again! Backyard pools and community pools are open up for the summer. Summer fun, however, comes with the responsibility to keep novice swimmers, especially toddlers, safe. Just this week, tragedy struck when a 3-year-old girl was found unresponsive in a backyard swimming pool in Suffolk County.
These kinds of incidents serve as grim reminders to make sure all children with easy access to a swimming pool are supervised properly.
At Injured 914, we represent families who have lost a loved one in swimming pool accidents. If you or someone you love has drowned due to someone else’s negligence, contact our office at (914) 368-7168 for a free consultation.
The Realities of Swimming Pool Drowning
According to the New York Office of Children and Family Services, most pool injuries involve children three-years old or younger, and sadly, drowning is the leading cause of death of children between 1 and 4 years old.
In a survey performed by Safe Kids Worldwide, nearly half of the parents surveyed thought that if a child were drowning nearby, they would hear the child struggling. In actuality, there can be very little splashing, waving, or screaming. Reality: Drowning is silent.
1 out of 3 parents have left a child alone in a pool for two or more minutes. Once a child begins to struggle, there may be less than 60 seconds to react. Reality: Drowning is quick.
60 percent of parents surveyed would not worry as much about drowning if their child has had swim lessons. According to SKW, “A review of children who drowned in a pool revealed that 47 percent of 10-17 year-olds reportedly knew how to swim.” Reality: Swim lessons are essential, but skill level varies.
How to Prevent Swimming Pool Accidents
There are things that we can do to prevent these tragedies. According to the organization Stop Drowning Now, some tips to keep loved ones safe in the pool should include:
- Teaching children to ask permission before getting into the pool. Then reinforce it over and over again.
- Supervision - Parents/caregivers must commit to watching children in the pool – no distractions allowed! Drownings can happen in a matter of seconds.
- Consider swimming lessons. Statistics show that providing young children with swimming lessons teaches them water safety at an early age.
- Learning CPR. Always be prepared for an emergency.
- Avoiding alcohol.
- Utilizing life vests. Don’t depend on floaties and other tubes to support a child.
- Don’t play breath-holding games.
- Fencing in home pools and adding safety alarms.
Contacting a Swimming Pool Accident Lawyer
Did someone you love suffer in a drowning accident due to someone else’s negligence? At Injured 914, we represent the interests of deceased and injured individuals. If you’d like to pursue compensation for your pain and suffering, contact our office at (914) 368-7168 for a free consultation.
Summer and swimming go hand in hand. Make sure to remember these safety tips and have a wonderful, SAFE summer!
