Pool Drowning - Preventable Tragedies
This story hits so close to home. Our firm has represented families in situations involving pools where proper safety equipment would have prevented very tragic outcomes.
According to Safe Kids Worldwide, drowning is the second-largest cause of accidental death among youngsters. 285 children drown in swimming pools in the United States in 2003, the latest year for which statistics are available.
Unfortunately, deaths of children from drain entrapment in a pool or hot tub are not rare. From 1985 to 2004, there were at least 33 documented drownings in the United States attributed to drain entrapment, as well as hundreds of injuries.
Drain entrapments often involve a child's hair being caught and pulled to the bottom of a pool or hot tub.
To help stop these tragic drownings, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., will introduce legislation that would require safety features in pools and hot tubs. Under the proposed law, states would receive federal grant money if they require multiple drains with covers that don't allow someone to be trapped, vacuum systems that shut down automatically when blocked, and fences surrounding all pools and spas.
To read more about child safety and pools please visit the Safe Kids website.