California Injury Blog
A 67-year-old man and his grandson drowned in a Selma swimming pool accident, according to an ABC News report. The drowning occurred at the McCall Village mobile home park on Dinuba near McCall. Police said the boy was swimming with both of his grandparents when his grandmother left for a short while to get some things from home. When she returned she saw her husband at the bottom of the pool and the grandson floating on top.
No one saw the drowning happen so police are still trying to figure out how it occurred. We’ll probably never find out how the boy and his grandfather drowned. I offer my deepest condolences to the family.
While swimming pools are fun, they can also be deadly. According to a release from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, there were 3,852 fatal unintentional drownings in the United States in 2005. More than one in four fatal drowning victims were children 14 and younger. And for every four who die from drowning, another four received emergency department care for nonfatal submersion injuries, near drownings. Nonfatal swimming pool injuries include brain damage that could result in long-term disabilities including memory problems, learning disabilities and permanent loss of basic functions.
One of the most common causes for swimming pool drowning, especially among young children, is lack of barriers and supervision. Children under one year most often drown in bathtubs, spas, buckets or even toilets. Among children between ages 1 and 4, most drownings occur in residential swimming pools. Barriers such as pool fencing can help prevent very young children from getting into the pool without anyone knowing.
Those who are hosting pool parties for children would be well-advised to hire a lifeguard to keep an eye on their little guests. Supervision is crucial when children are near the water even if you believe your child can swim. Prevention is the first step to reducing the disastrous number of fatal swimming pool accidents, which is the leading cause of the death of children under 5 in California and in Orange County.
Nearly every summer we represent a familiy who’s loved one drowned due to the negligence of the pool owner, caretakers or life guards. Don’t let this happen to you. Be safe around water.