While enjoying a day at the pool or beach, accidents and injuries are probably not at the forefront of our minds. Yet, we must always be prepared for the worst. Drownings are a leading cause of death for children one to 14. What’s even more troubling is that more than three children die every day in the United States because of drowning. Understanding how to keep your child safe while swimming is essential to avoid drowning deaths or injuries.
If your drowning accident resulted from another party’s negligence, you might be eligible for financial compensation. However, you must first provide sufficient evidence that the other party was negligent. Doing so may be difficult on your own, but Rizk Law personal injury attorneys can help.
How to Prevent Drowning Accidents
In Oregon, drowning deaths mainly occur during the warm months between May and August. From 2012-2014, 38 children between the ages of one and 9 died from drowning, while 37 were hospitalized. Follow these ten essential strategies to avoid drowning deaths or injuries.
General Water Safety
For any swimming environment, you must take steps to avoid a drowning accident. Some steps include:
- Learning CPR: CPR is a way to help a person who has stopped breathing or whose heart stopped beating stay alive. Parents and guardians should learn CPR in case of an emergency.
- Supervise children: Never leave children unattended near a pool, hot tub, or natural body of water. During gatherings, adults can take turns being the designated watcher who will not engage in distractions. A good rule of thumb is to keep children under four at arm’s length away, even if they can swim. Remember, lifeguards do not replace parent or guardian supervision. Plus, lifeguards may not see your child with so many other people in the pool.
Residential Pool Safety
It’s common for many Portland residents to have a pool in their backyard. If you have a pool, keep the following residential pool safety tips in mind:
- Fence in the pool: Portland requires pool owners to fence in their pools. Fences must be at least four feet high. Avoid fences that children can easily climb over. Additionally, owners must have a self-closing and latching gate. Try to find a gate that is beyond a child’s reach.
- Block pool access: Use a rigid, motorized safety cover to block pool access when it’s not in use. You should remove ladders or lock them behind a fence for above-ground pools when not using the pool.
- Remove toys: Never leave toys in the water because a child might fall in trying to retrieve them.
- Beware of drains: Do not allow children to play near or sit on pool drains. The strong suction can trap body parts or hair. Some pool companies sell drain covers that can prevent entrapment.
Natural Bodies of Water Safety Tips
While swimming in a pool is a great way to beat the heat, there’s something about swimming in a natural body of water that makes the day more exciting. However, natural swimming pools still come with risks, and you should follow the following steps to reduce drowning.
- Wear a life jacket: Children and adults should wear life jackets in natural bodies of water. Strong waves may pull under even the strongest swimmer, but a life jacket can help keep you afloat.
- Go in feet first: Always go into natural water bodies feet first. The water may be shallow, and diving might cause a head injury.
Speak to the Injury Attorneys at Rizk Law Today
Drowning accidents can lead to thousands of dollars in medical bills. If you believe that another person’s negligence caused the accident, you should contact an experienced injury attorney in Portland. They can launch a thorough investigation to determine if negligence played a role in the accident.
In Oregon, Rizk Law is a top source of legal representation. We are a group of skilled injury attorneys who have the experience necessary to handle various personal injury claims, including swimming pool accidents. To schedule a free consultation, call (503) 245-5677 or complete our online contact form today.