New York City Drowning Accident Lawyers

Although New York reports far fewer drownings than most states, too many children and adults still lose their lives this way every year. Currently, there are more than 7,400 public pools and 1,300 public beaches available for swimmers throughout this state. To help prevent avoidable drownings and illnesses, state and local authorities regularly gather statistics on all water-related injuries, diseases, and deaths.

Special data are also recorded indicating whether the injured party required resuscitation, a trip to a hospital, or developed an illness due to water quality issues. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that every year, over 3,500 unintentional drownings occur across America. Most of the victims (80%) are teens and young adult males, and only a small percentage of them are due to boating. Roughly 20% of all annual drowning deaths involve children aged 14 and younger.

Of course, many drownings don’t happen at public beaches or in private or public swimming pools – they occur in people’s home bathtubs, hot tubs, hotels, spas, schools, and health clubs.

Here are some safety tips that can help prevent drowning accidents in various locations. Many of them also apply while carefully monitoring children swimming at the beach.

Ways to prevent children and adults from suffering injuries or deaths in local swimming pools

• Hire adequate lifeguards. If you’re having a pool party at home, hire lifeguards and ask other parents to help you keep the children safe. Also, remind family and friends that most children are old enough to begin swimming lessons by age four – if not sooner. It’s often wise to either personally teach your children to swim (if qualified to do so), or to at least be present during lessons to help them remain calm;
• At least one adult should always be present to watch the swimming children. This person should spend all their time watching the pool and not talking on a cell phone, reading, or visiting with others. Even older teenagers should never be allowed to swim together without adult supervision. Their playful activities can easily prevent them from hearing a friend in distress. Also, before letting a child swim at a friend’s house, ask one of the parents if they’ll be present in the pool area during that activity.
• Do not keep multiple toys of any kind scattered around a pool. Visitors or your own family members can easily trip over them or fall into the water. Drinking containers and other goods made of glass should be kept away from all pool areas.
• Keep a fully charged cell phone – for emergencies only – out by the pool with you. If an emergency develops, you’ll need to call for help right away.
• Have all adults in your family take CPR classes. This can help you save lives when you’re away from home, too.
• Keep appropriate safety equipment in the pool area. Also, only let small children use flotation devices when their own parents are watching them. Kids can still drown if they fall forward while wearing some of those items.
• Do not maintain a noisy waterfall in the pool area – and avoid playing loud music. You must be able to listen for the faint sounds of someone struggling in the water, while also carefully surveying all parts of the pool.
• Do not allow children or adults to run around the pool area – or play roughly in or out of the water;
• Use proper tanning lotions and make sure everyone remains properly hydrated.
• Have all pool drains checked regularly. When these malfunction, children can get trapped in or near them and drown. Have a pool cleaner visit regularly who also checks the various pool chemical balances.
• Always check all pool gates, fences, and locks after each use of the pool area. Children are often fascinated by pools and will try to sneak in and use them if you fail to install proper fencing.
• Save up and buy pool covers that fasten securely. When used in conjunction with proper fencing, you’ll be able to prevent serious injuries and deaths.