Summer is a great time to head to a lake, river, or swimming pool – but it is also a time when the risk of accidental drownings increases. Accidental drowning is the number-one cause of death for children under age 5, and it is a top cause of severe traumatic brain injury in children and adults.
Experienced Oklahoma personal injury lawyers recommend keeping in mind these top drowning causes – and tips for avoiding them – in mind this summer. This safety information is provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- Encourage non-swimmers to learn to swim and to wear floatation devices on the water. Age-appropriate swim classes for beginners can help both adults and children to feel more confident in the water and to protect themselves in a wide number of situations. Swimming is also great exercise!
- Make sure pools and hot tubs have proper barriers. Backyard pools and hot tubs should have fencing that surrounds all four sides and gates and doors with alarms.
- Assign one adult to supervise the children. The adult supervising the children should never be distracted by another item or task. Never leave children unattended; a child can drown in as little as one inch of water.
- Empty and store water containers properly. Baby’s bathtubs, buckets, wading pools, and other items used to hold water should be emptied, turned upside down, and stored out of a child’s reach as soon as they are no longer being used.
- Learn CPR and first aid. The more quickly CPR is administered in a drowning situation, the more likely it will help prevent long-term injuries or even save a life. Learning CPR enables you to act quickly in an emergency and offer help.
If your child has been injured or worse in a drowning accident caused by another party, please contact Attorney Ray Maples for immediate legal assistance. You may be entitled to compensation for past and future medical bills and other damages.
