Protect Your Child from Common Summertime Drowning Scenarios

Summertime in Florida brings the swimming season for kids of all ages. Kids spend hours splashing in pools and at the beach.  But the summer months also mark a spike in unintentional drowning deaths for toddlers ages 0-4 and medically frail seniors.

As a personal injury attorney in Gainesville and all of North Central Florida, I'd like to share some common drowning scenarios:

• Most drowning deaths occur in a home pool-with mom or dad present;
• Toddlers, especially those 12 to 24 months old, are most at risk;
• Summer months, May, June, and July, are especially deadly;
• Males are 2/3 more likely to drown than females;
• Victims are more likely to be Caucasian and Florida residents, not visitors;
• Sunday is the most dangerous day of the week, followed by Thursday;
• A victim is likely to have last been seen "in the house" prior to drowning;
• Caregivers are often distracted by using the bathroom; cooking or eating; and talking;
• Many pools had pool toys and murky water (attract kids and obstruct visibility);
• A primary barrier, such as a sliding glass or French doors, was breached;
• Drowning occurs in a matter of 11 to 12 minutes from the time a victim is missing.

Florida ranked first in unintentional toddler drowning deaths, for ages 1-4, and third overall in the U.S. from 1999-2003.  Drowning is the second leading cause of death for children under 20 years, second only to motor vehicle accidents.

For more information on this important topic:

Residential Pool Liability-Ocala accident attorney explains the legal deep end

What can I do to "Drown Proof" my Pool - Gainesville accident attorney gives simple steps.