1620 5th AvenueA 2-year-old has died in an apparent drowning accident on February 27 at a residential swimming pool in Bakersfield, according to KERO-TV. The toddler was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. The death appears to be accidental and no charges will be filed, according to Bakersfield Police Lt. Scott Tunnicliff.
Swimming pools are a great way to spend time with friends and family, but parents need to know the risks of these pools, especially for young children. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) there were 3,308 accidental drowning deaths in the United States in 2004—an average of nine every day. In the same year, the CDC reports that 26 percent of all deaths of children ages 1-4 were drowning deaths.
The American Academy of Pediatrics estimates that for every drowning death, there are approximately 1 to 4 nonfatal drowning accidents that are serious enough to require the victim to be hospitalized. At least half of these survivors suffer a “significant neurological impairment.” Parents, guardians and caretakers must be diligent when small children are playing in or around swimming pools.
Tip of the week: Pay attention. Just because you are with your child near a pool does not mean that accidents cannot happen. According to the Orange County Fire Department, 70 percent of all preschool age children who died from a drowning were being supervised by their parents at the time of the accident.
Bonnici Law Group, APC—San Diego wrongful death lawyer
1620 5th Avenue