A 2-year-old child was rescued by a family member after nearly drowning when the child fell into a backyard swimming pool. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the near-drowning experience occurred April 6 at a home in the 32000 block of Lomita Drive in Rancho Santa Margarita. The child was transported to a hospital in the area. The extent of the toddler’s injuries is not known. Our thoughts and prayers are with the child and the family.
Drowning and Near Drowning
According to the California Department of Developmental Services, drowning is the leading cause of death among children under 5 in this state. The department’s statistics show that 31 children under the age of 5 died in 2016 as a result of swimming pool accidents in California. Each year, there are also a number of near-drowning accidents in California, which could prove dangerous as well.
Victims of near-drowning accidents often experience permanent and lifelong disabilities. These include central nervous system damage contributing to varying levels of brain damage, resulting in loss of memory, seizures, learning disabilities, paralysis, and sometimes even coma. Those who survive near-drowning incidents may also experience a lifetime of multiple medical problems including respiratory, cardiovascular, and neuromuscular disorders.
Safety Comes First
With summer just around the corner, this swimming pool accident in Orange County, which almost resulted in the death of a young child. There are several steps homeowners, parents and caregivers can and should take in order to prevent these tragedies:
- Install a four-sided isolation fence with self-closing and self-latching gates around backyard swimming pools. This could help keep children away from the area when they are not supposed to be swimming. Pool fences should completely separate the house and the play area from the pool.
- Install alarms in the pool area and also the back door so you know if someone has accessed the pool area or is close to the water.
- Adult supervision is a must when children are in or near the water. Make sure kids wear life jackets in and around the water. However, these safety devices are not substitutes for adult supervision.
- Learn life-saving skills including cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a swimming pool accident, please contact an experienced California personal injury lawyer to obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights.
Source: https://www.ocregister.com/2018/04/07/2-year-old-child-rescued-after-nearly-drowning-in-rancho-santa-margarita-swimming-pool/