According to the Centers for Disease Control, drowning claims the lives of over 4,000 people in the United States every year. Even more alarming, more children between the ages of one and four die from drowning than from all other causes of death. With statistics like these, we must ask ourselves: how can drowning be prevented?
Below, I’ll provide vetted advice on how to keep yourself and your loved ones safe when you’re out on the water or at the pool. If you believe the drowning death or water-related injury of someone close to you was caused by negligence, a drowning injury attorney at Buttafuoco & Associates can help.
Call 1-800-NOW-HURT for a free consultation to help you determine whether you have a case.
1: Enroll Your Child in Swimming Lessons
The best thing you can do to prevent drowning when it comes to young children is to enroll your kids in swimming lessons when they are young. Lessons often focus not only on how to swim, but on water safety and what to do in emergency situations. While swimming lessons cannot prevent all drownings, they are an excellent first step in keeping your child safe throughout their lifetime. The American Red Cross offers swimming lessons for children and adults that are led by certified instructors.
2: Ensure Proper Supervision
Crowded swimming pools, lakes, and other bodies of water pose a variety of challenges when it comes to seeing swimmers. Looking away for even a moment while playing cards, reading, or responding to a text can result in disaster.
To ensure that supervision is up to snuff, always designate a reliable adult to watch young children who are in or around the water. Ideally, they should practice what is known as “touch supervision,” where the adult is in the water with the child, or at minimum close enough to easily reach the child if they need to. It is also much safer to swim at facilities where there are lifeguards on duty, and to encourage your child to use the “buddy system” where they swim with another person. And remember, inner tubes, noodles, and water wings may seem safe, air- or foam-filled toys are designed for leisure, not safety. Instead, use the “touch supervision” method or life jackets if necessary.
3: Learn CPR
CPR is invaluable when it comes to saving a life after a near-drowning. Take the time to learn it. Having someone on deck with CPR skills after an accident is essential, as it takes time for even the quickest paramedic teams to arrive at the scene. CPR is a valuable skill to have for a vast number of situations, so sign up for a class.
4: Keep Your Home Pool Safe
If you have a swimming pool in your yard, make sure to install a fence that is at least four feet tall and surrounds the entire swimming pool, separating it from other play areas in the yard. Remove enticing toys from the pool area after swimming to help keep kids from entering the pool alone. Alarms and automatic door locks can also be helpful in preventing unwanted access to your pool.
5: Know Specific Safety Rules for Natural Bodies of Water
If you are on vacation or spending time near a natural body of water, there are additional safety rules you should follow. First, make sure you’re aware of the weather forecast before you swim or boat in one of these areas. Lightning and strong winds can cause serious injuries and drownings during an open water swim, so avoid the water if there are weather conditions you are not comfortable with. If you are boating, always wear U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets, even if your boat is full of strong swimmers. Finally, know how to recognize signs of rip currents, such as choppy or foamy water, and avoid them.
Need a Drowning Injury Attorney?
While we hope your beach vacation or visit to the water park is safe and fun-filled, accidents do happen. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury or drowning at one of these locations due to another party’s negligence, a drowning injury attorney at Buttafuoco & Associates may be able to help you recover the compensation you deserve. If you are unsure whether you have a case, we provide free consultations.
Call 1-800-NOW-HURT today.
