Summertime Is Swimming Pool Season
While Southern California enjoys swimming pool season pretty much all year long, most Central and Northern California residents have to wait for their outdoor backyard swimming pleasure until the weather warms up a bit. After all, he likely never said it, but Mark Twain is widely credited with saying that the coldest winter he ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.
Regardless, even in Northern California, with the possible exception of San Francisco, summertime is the time for backyard and neighborhood swimming pools. Unfortunately, that means summer also is the season for swimming pool accidents, including drownings, which disproportionately affect children.
If you or someone in your family has been injured in a swimming pool accident, contact the California personal injury attorneys of Maire & Deedon. We are prepared to help you.
Swimming Pools Are Dangerous Places For Young Children
Anyone can drown in any body of water, but swimming pools are particularly dangerous for young children. Young children often don’t know how to swim and usually are not tall enough to stand with their heads above water, even in fairly shallow water. Further, even when they fall into the water where they can stand with their heads above water, young children often lack the presence of mind, body control, and situational knowledge to put their feet on the bottom of the pool or other bodies of water and stand up. All of these factor into why four-year-old and younger children have the highest drowning rates. Most of these drownings occur in swimming pools, often on private property.
Accidental drownings are one of the leading causes of death for children four years old and younger and the second-leading cause of death for children ages 5 through 14 years of age. Further, drownings don’t have to be fatal to be a problem. Each year, more than 2,000 children younger than five are treated for near-drownings, which can lead to brain damage and other serious injuries. Most of these happen in swimming pools.
These drownings might be accidental, but they are preventable. The top reasons for drownings include:
- Not knowing how to swim
- Missing or ineffective fences around pools or other bodies of water
- Lack of appropriate supervision
All of these causes are easily correctable.
Drownings Aren’t The Only Hazard Around Water
Drowning, whether fatally or otherwise, is not the only hazard around water, whether in a swimming pool or other body of water. Falls are a common cause of injuries around water, as are diving board and ladder accidents. Injuries from such accidents can range from cuts and scrapes to broken bones and head, back, or neck injuries that are more serious and lasting.
If You Or A Family Member Has Been Injured In A Swimming Pool Accident, Talk To The Attorneys of Maire & Deedon
Fatal and non-fatal accidents alike are common around swimming pools. These injuries can have long-term effects, including brain damage or death. If you or a loved one have suffered such an accident, call the Redding, CA, personal injury attorneys of Maire & Deedon. We have the ability and experience to help you learn if you have a claim and decide upon your best options. Above all, our attorneys are here to help you get the compensation you deserve.