As Memorial Day and the end of the school year quickly approach millions of children and parents have one word on their mind, summer. For many, summer is synonymous with vacations, fun with friends, and virtually unlimited free time. However, along with the season come dangers which can quickly end the summer fun. In this post we will look at the most notable summer risk, drowning.
No summer activity is as widely popular as swimming. However, every summer it seems like drownings or near drownings grab the local headlines on an almost daily basis. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, last summer 137 children younger than 15 years old drowned in a pool between Memorial Day and Labor Day; 100 of whom were 5 years old or younger. In fact, drowning is the leading cause of accidental death among children between one and four years old. Despite these numbers almost all drownings are preventable by either adult supervision of children in a pool or by pool owners taking the necessary precautions to prevent entry into the pool when no one is around.
Young children should be allowed in or near a pool ONLY if there is an adult watching them. Those who own pools can protect against drownings by surrounding their pool with a fence and self closing gate, and by being present whenever any children are in the pool. Not taking these precautions can lead to tragedy and also legal consequences against a pool owner. Pool owners, especially apartment complexes, can be found negligent and held liable for the death or injury of a child who was able gain access to a pool that was not adequately protected.
If you have a loved one who lost their life or was injured as a result of drowning or other pool related injuries Ben Bronston & Associates is here to help. Our attorneys are committed to giving you the legal assistance you need in prosecuting a pool owner for his or her negligence in keeping the pool area secure.
