Florida residents are fortunate in that the pool season never ends. However, it also means that the risk of drowning for children is also year around. According to the Consumer Protection Safety Commission (CSPC), drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death among children ages 1 to 4. Drowning deaths are not just limited to swimming pools. Bathtubs at home are the second leading location for drowning deaths. Defective and dangerous bathtub seats are sometimes the culprit.
A CPSC spokesperson reminds parents and babysitters that children can drown in even just a few inches of water. The agency has these tips to prevent accidental drownings:
- Never leave a child unattended in even the shallowest of water
- If you must leave the bathroom, take the child with you
- Never let a child watch another child in the bathtub
- Take the time to learn CPR in event of an emergency
Taking the time to learn CPR can prove valuable before the paramedics arrive. Do not assume your child is safe in a bathtub seat and never leave a child unattended in the tub. Your child can free himself or herself from the seat and slip beneath the water.
Do you use a bathtub seat to bathe your child?
Colson Hicks Eidson – Florida lawyers