A 5-year-old boy nearly drowned in a swimming pool accident, which occurred at a community pool in Garden Grove. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the incident occurred the night of July 8, 2016 in the 13000 block of Lampson Avenue. The boy was found submerged in the pool. His uncle had done CPR and was able to resuscitate him. Firefighters were told the boy might have been in the water for about two minutes. Officials said the boy was lethargic, but breathing. He was transported to an area hospital in stable condition.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to this child and his family members. We wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
Swimming Pool Accident Statistics
There are more than 7,000 drowning deaths nationally each year. In fact, drowning accidents are the leading cause of death and injury of children under 5. Each year, 5,000 children under 14 are hospitalized for near-drowning incidents. Of these, as many as 20 percent suffer severe and permanent disabilities.
Nationwide 250 children under the age of 5 drown each year. For every child who drowns, four are hospitalized for near drowning. In 10 states including California, drowning surpasses all other causes of death to children age 14 and under, according to the Orange County Fire Authority. The agency also says 86 percent of children who die are found after 10 minutes and that nearly all who require CPR die or are left with severe brain injury.
Preventing Swimming Pool Accidents
Even though California has good year-round weather, swimming pool use spikes in the summer as people seek refuge from the oppressive heat. Summer is also the time of year when most of us host backyard barbecues, pool parties and family gatherings. It is critical to exercise caution in or around swimming pools, particularly when children are involved.
Make sure your pool is fenced and is accessible only through a gate that can be locked. Install pool alarms so you are alerted when a child wanders into the backyard or pool area. Supervision of children is critical. It makes a difference when adults are “around children” and actively watching children. Supervising adults need to focus and remain vigilant at all times when children are in or around water. Drowning can occur quickly and quietly. Our Orange County swimming pool attorneys routinely represent victims of swimming pool accidents and their families. In many cases, we’ve seen that a little bit of prevention goes a long way.