Keeping your children safe over the summer
In Washington State drowning is the second leading cause of injury or death for children under age 17 according to the Red Cross. With Memorial Day approaching, parties, barbecues and gatherings near the pool are inevitable (with weather permitting) and two-thirds of all drowning deaths occur in the summer between May and August. It is important to understand the risks of your children playing by the pool. Phillips Law Firm has a few tips for you on how to stay safe near the pool.
Don’t allow running on the pool deck:
When slick concrete is covered in moisture the chances of someone slipping and falling increase drastically. A fall in these slick conditions can result in fractures, or severe head injuries. In some cases children can accidentally slip and fall into the pool unnoticed, resulting in accidental drowning.
Watch your children at all times:
This might sound like obvious advice but it is all too easy to become distracted when visiting with loved ones. In 75% of drowning cases children were missing from their parent or care givers sight for five minutes or less.
Stay in the pool with children under 5 years old:
Even if you believe your child is a strong swimmer it is important to be physically present in the pool with them. 76% of minors who drown are five years of age or younger. Parents may often let their children play in the pool alone because they are wearing “floaties” or lifejackets but these devices are not 100% reliable.
Don’t rely on the lifeguard to prevent drowning:
19% of drowning deaths involving children occur in public pools with certified lifeguards present. In Washington State it is possible to become a certified lifeguard or swimming instructor as young as 15 years old. While it is necessary to pass a certification course to become a lifeguard, many have never responded to an emergency situation before. Lifeguards have many people to monitor and are susceptible to error. Your best option to ensure safety is to keep an eye on your own children.
Evacuate the pool if there is bad weather:
Washington State weather could hardly be considered a stable variable. If thunder or lightening occurs make sure to evacuate the pool and the wet pool deck. According to the National Lightning Safety Institute, make sure to wait thirty minutes until the last thunder is heard to resume activities near or in the pool.
Seek medical attention immediately after an accident:
It is crucial to call 911 immediately after an accident. 92% of surviving children are discovered two minutes following submersion. Lack of oxygen to the brain for any prolonged period of time can leave a child with severe brain injury. 86% of children requiring cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) after an accident die.
Have you lost a loved one in a drowning accident?
At Phillips Law Firm our personal injury and wrongful death attorneys are dedicated to getting you justice and compensation you deserve. Call Phillips Law Firm at 1-800-708-6000, we are waiting to assist you 24/7, offering a free case evaluation. Remember our no fee promise. If we do not recover anything for you, you do not owe us an attorney fee
