Florida Drowning Accidents: Red Cross Issues Memorial Day Weekend Warning
The Red Cross issued a press release for Memorial Day Weekend reminding families to take extra care when swimming at America's beaches, lakes, and in swimming pools.
A nationwide survey showed that one in four people knew someone who had died by drowning, and that 50 percent of Americans had personally experienced an incident where they feared they might drown. In addition, the survey showed that while 90 percent of families with young children plan to relax in the water over the summer months, nearly half stated that they will swim at locations that do not staff lifeguards on duty.
Florida Drowning Deaths
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)...
- Florida swimming pool accidents that lead to drowning are the number-one cause of accidental death of children under 5 years old.
- Nationally, every year about 300 children under five years old die by drowning, and an additional 2,000 require emergency room treatment for injuries suffered from submersion under water. Most of these accidents occur in family swimming pools.
- Medical costs for children requiring emergency room treatment can soar into hundreds of thousands of dollars when brain injury occurs.
An experienced Florida drowning accident attorney is familiar with state and federal safety regulations designed to protect consumers.
Premises liability laws are in place to protect people who may become injured on someone else's property. The CPSC states that many communities have safety regulations in place that instruct private swimming pool owners on measures to take to keep residents and visitors safe. In addition, the federal Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act put safety requirements in place for public pools in Florida and every other state.
Florida boat accidents are another cause of death by drowning for both adults and children. Please be safe this Memorial Day weekend and take precautions for yourself and your children.
New Red Cross Survey Shows Nearly 50 Percent of People Have Had A Drowning Scare in Their Lifetime
American Red Cross May 20, 2009
Related Web Resources
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:
Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act
