Drowning is a leading cause of death for children around the world, but most drownings are not fatal. Instead, the term “drowning” can be used to describe any situation in which a person experiences “respiratory impairment from submersion [or] immersion,” whether in water or another liquid.
2. Assess Your Family’s Risk Factors
Anyone can drown, but different people face very different risks.
According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, many drowning-related risk factors are age-specific. For example:
- Most infant drownings occur in bathtubs;
- Children ages 1 to 4 are most likely to drown in home swimming pools;
- Over 40% of all drownings involving children ages 5 to 14 occur in natural bodies of water;
- More than 50% of fatal drownings involving teenagers and young adults occur in lakes, rivers, and oceans.
3. Always Keep an Eye on Young Children…
Drowning is a quiet and quick process that can happen anywhere with water: in a lake, a swimming pool, or even a large bucket of water. Keeping an eye on active children isn’t always easy, but it can go a long way to minimize risks.
4. … or Find Out Who’s in Charge of Supervision
Facilities that place children near water are responsible for their safety and should, ideally, employ staff trained to perform CPR and basic water rescues.
If your children are taking swimming lessons, going on a field trip, or spending a week at summer camp, be familiar with which staff members are expected to act as chaperones or lifeguards.
5. Check Your Life Jackets
Boat rental companies must typically provide customers with life jackets and other safety devices, which they may or may not be required to wear whenever they are in the water or aboard a vessel. Make sure any life jackets you receive are the right size for your child, show no signs of unusual wear or tear, and are free from any obvious defects.
6. Cut Back on Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol consumption is a major contributing factor to drowning-related deaths among older children, young adults, and older adults. However, having one drink too many could make it more difficult to properly supervise young children while at the beach with family or lounging around a private pool.
7. Double-Check Whether Pools Meet City and State Regulations
Cities and states may have strict rules related to pool safety and maintenance. For example:
- In New York, public swimming pools must typically be enclosed by fences and other barriers; and
- Residential swimming pools, even those located on private property, must incorporate barriers to prevent access by children and other vulnerable persons.
8. Don’t Skimp on Property Maintenance
New York property owners are legally required to maintain their premises to a reasonable standard. This may mean keeping the poolside dry, or ensuring that docks remain stable and in good repair.
9. Make Medical Care a Priority
If your child suffers a non-fatal drowning, make medical care a priority: drownings are closely associated with oxygen deprivation, brain damage, and slip-and-fall-related traumatic injuries.
10. Know When to Assert Your Rights
If your child was injured in a drowning accident that was not their fault, you could be entitled to compensation—compensation for their outstanding medical bills, pain and suffering, and other expenses. Do not delay: contact the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. today to schedule your free consultation.