Texas Accident & Injury News
May 24, 2021, San Antonio, TX – Every summer families head to the beaches, lakes and pools to beat the heat and cool off. Summer fun also means a serious focus on summer safety. Texas had the deadliest rate of child pool and spa drownings in 2019 for children under age 15. Drowning can happen anywhere which makes it necessary for everyone to practice water safety.
Just last week a two-year-old toddler died after squeezing through a safety gate and falling into a swimming pool here in Texas and another drowning tragedy involving toddlers occurred in Florida at a daycare center. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), drowning is one of the top causes of unintentional deaths for children in the U.S. There are nearly 400 pool-related drownings per year involving children.
In the U.S. drowning takes an average of 3,500-4,000 lives per year. That is nearly 10 fatal drownings per day. The CDC reports an average of 3,536 fatal unintentional drownings annually in the U.S. An additional 332 people die each year from drowning in boat-related incidents.
Chlorine shortage could cause more fatal drownings this year
Chlorine also helps prevent unsafe conditions that could contribute to swimming pool drowning — such as cloudy water. Property managers need to have a certified pool operator on staff. Additionally, they need to train their staff on basic water safety.
The National Drowning Prevention Alliance recommends these safety measures for summer water safety.
- Educate children about water safety.
- Never leave a child unattended near water in a pool, tub, bucket or lake or ocean. There is no substitute for adult supervision.
- Have children swim near a lifeguard or responsible adult and only swim in designated swimming areas.
- Designate a “Water Watcher” to maintain constant watch over children in the pool during gatherings.
- Home pools should be separated from the residence by a fence at least 60” tall and include a self-closing and self-latching gate
- Never prop open a self-closing/latching pool gate
- Teach children how to swim and the basics of water safety
- Learn CPR and have basic life-saving equipment poolside such as Sheppard’s hooks, a working phone and Red Cross approved flotation devices
Drowning is fast and silent; it can happen in as little as 20-60 seconds. Remember, no one is drown-proof and drowning doesn’t discriminate.
If a child or loved one has been injured or has suffered a wrongful death due to pool accidents, drowning, or another personal injury, contact an attorney who specializes in these cases to review your legal options. You may be entitled to compensation for damages, medical treatments, and lost wages due to the incident.
Lawyers at Carabin Shaw help clients get the care and attention they deserve after a serious incident. Our experienced attorneys represent people and families who have suffered catastrophic injuries and tragic wrongful deaths throughout the US. If a child or a loved one has been injured contact us today.
Main Office: 875 E Ashby Pl #1100, San Antonio, TX 78212