Accidental drowning is the number one cause of death for children under age 5, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Near-drowning accidents cause tens of thousands of injuries each year, some of which result in permanent brain or organ damage.
Summertime in Texas means that families will be flocking to the state’s lakes, rivers, and the Gulf Coast, or staying home to enjoy family swimming pools and hot tubs. You can help yourself and those you love stay safe while enjoying summer water fun by keeping in mind the biggest summertime drowning risks and ways to prevent them:
- Inability to swim. Many adults and children of all ages do not know how to keep themselves afloat or swim when they enter water over their heads. Age-appropriate swimming lessons can help increase confidence and provide life-saving skills. Swimming is also great exercise for kids and adults alike!
- Lack of sufficient pool barriers. A fence that completely encloses a pool or hot tub area, locking gates, and alarms on doors and gates can all help reduce the risk that children will wander into the pool area and fall into the water.
- Lack of close supervision. Neither adults nor children should ever swim alone – always bring a buddy. Kids should be supervised closely by an adult who is not distracted with a book, a smart phone, or another task.
- Lack of emergency preparedness knowledge or plans. Do you know what drowning looks like? Can you help someone who is drowning? Do you know what to do if another person is injured in the water? Can you perform CPR correctly on an adult, child, or infant? Taking a water safety or CPR class can help you be prepared to save a life if an accident occurs.
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a swimming accident due to the negligence of another party, it is highly advised that you contact a Waco personal injury attorney for legal assistance.