RSSFlorida Mother Turns Personal Tragedy into Swimming Pool Accident Awareness
As the temperatures rise in Florida, so does the amount of people venturing out to beat that steamy Southern heat. From city swimming pools and big name waterparks, to the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, our great state certainly has no shortage of amazing aquatic adventures to be had, especially during the summer months.
The USA Swimming Foundation hosted an event in Broward and Miami-Dade counties this past Monday to present county and city officials with grant money to offer children of the community the opportunity to take free or reduced swimming lessons. A topic that a local woman holds near and dear to her heart.
Three years ago in Coral Springs, Jenna Edwards’ two-year old son suffered a near-fatal drowning accident, when he slipped away from his caretaker and fell into the family’s backyard swimming pool. She has since made it her personal mission to bring awareness to the importance of water safety by educating fellow parents on the priority of swimming lessons at a young age.
Statistics & Injury Types
With the exception of birth defects, unintentional drowning accidents are the nation’s leading cause of death for children under the age of five. According to the Florida Department of Health, the Bureau of Vital Statistics, and DeathStat Database, “Florida had the highest unintentional drowning rate in the nation for the 1-4 year-old age group with a drowning rate of 7.54 per 100,000 population.” (Source: Drowning Prevention )
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis
- Broken Bones
- Premises Liability Accidents
Prevention & Additional Information
In 2010, Florida implemented a new statewide water safety program called WaterproofFL–Pool Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility. This campaign focuses on the importance of pool safety and follows nationwide water safety guidelines and recommendations in order to educate the public. The “layers of protection” in this program are:
Supervision – Someone must always be actively watching the children and the pool.
Barriers – Ensuring that there are proper fencing, gate locks, pool covers, and child safety locks.
Emergency Preparedness – Educating yourself on CPR administration for both children and adults.
For additional pool safety information and downloadable materials from WaterproofFL, visit: WaterSmartFL.
Sources:
USA Swimming Foundation helps South Florida children get free, reduced swim lessons
Parents of boy pulled from Coral Springs pool thankful for support
Florida Injury Facts: Drownings
James O. Cunningham
Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.
Mr. Cunningham is an excellent and knowledgeable attorney.