A 9-year-old boy drowned in a backyard swimming pool in Hacienda Height the evening of July 27. According to a KTLA news report, Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department officials responded to the incident a home in the 3200 block of Leticia Drive. Deputies arrived to find family members already performing CPR on the child.
The boy was rushed to a hospital. But attempts to revive him were not successful. He was pronounced dead shortly afterward. Officials said it initially seemed that the child failed to surface after going down a water slide. He was reportedly visiting the home with his family. The police investigation is ongoing.
We offer our deepest condolences to the family members of this young boy for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Summer Pool Accidents
Summertime is obviously the time when most of these tragic swimming pool accidents occur as more families gather for backyard parties and the kids are out of school. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), from Memorial Day through Labor Day in 2017, at least 163 children under age 15 fatally drowned in swimming pools or spas. Of the 163 reports, 112 of the victims, nearly 70 percent, were children under age 5. Typically states like Florida and California have the highest number of drowning deaths. In 2017, there were 14 swimming pool drowning deaths in California.
Preventable Accidents
These tragic backyard pool accidents are preventable. Here are a few steps parents and caregivers can take to make sure their children are safe during summer poolside gatherings, whether the gatherings take place in their homes or someone else’s home.
- Install a four-sided fence with self-closing, self-latching gates around all pools and spas.
- If you’re having a family gathering or party, designate an adult “water watcher” to supervise children at all times around the water.
- Learn how to perform CPR on children and adults.
- Teach children to stay away from pool drains, pipes and other openings to avoid entrapments. Make sure pools or spas have drain covers that comply with federal safety standards.
- Keep kids’ toys or any items that may attract young children away from the pool area.
Please remember that property owners can be held liable for swimming pool accidents that occur on their premises. An experienced California swimming pool accident lawyer can provide victims and their families with more information about pursuing their legal rights.
Source: https://ktla.com/2019/07/27/9-year-old-boy-drowns-in-hacienda-heights-backyard-swimming-pool/