Babies are fragile when they are young, and often don't have the strength to push themselves up if they fall onto their face or into water. This is why it is essential that parents and caretakers never leave a baby or toddler unattended near water. Every year, at least 87 children die in household drowning accidents. This does not include the drowning accidents that happen in pools and other dangerous locations. Instead, this statistic includes sinks, toilets, landscape ponds and bathtubs that are located at the child's home.
Almost 80% of these tragic household drowning happen to children that are in bathtubs at the time. Most often, the accidents happen when a parent or caretaker who is bathing the child leaves momentarily to answer the phone, answer the door, or talk to someone in the other room. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says that leaving your child unattended in the bathtub for even a minute can be a horrific decision.
When a child is left near water unattended, he or she may tumble into the water, falling face first and being unable to sit back up. When children drown, it is normally silent. In some cases, babies will fall asleep in a bathtub and fall face down, drowning in their sleep. When small children survive one of these tragic accidents, it can still result in severe brain damage that will forever alter a child's life. When a baby's brain is developing oxygen is essential to the constant growth of the cranium. If the child loses oxygen for an extended amount of time, it will typically cause severe brain damage. In some cases, this brain damage will result in mental retardation that will follow a child all the way into adulthood.
It is essential that caretakers and parents never leave a child under the age of five near a water source that could cause one of these unexpected drownings. Even small buckets should not be filled and left for children. Also, when children play with summertime water toys or inflatable pools, it is important that you remember to carefully supervise. Like bathtubs, inflatable pools can result in a drowning accident if the baby is left unattended in the water.
It is important that you never place a baby in a tub or water or in any other water source that is not within arm's reach. If you have to leave the child, you must take him or her with you. Never allow young children to act as supervisors, as they will not be able to save your infant or toddler in the event of an actual drowning.
Many adults believe that drowning is the act of being submerged in water and then passing away. This couldn't be further from the truth. Maybe babies and toddlers die when they are simply face down in water and cannot sit up or when they fall asleep in shallow water and their mouth and nose fall under the surface. If you are a parent and were responsible for your child's injuries or death, chances are that there is not anyone that you can blame for the incident.
If you left your children with a caretaker, daycare worker, nanny, or another individual who was supposed to watch the child and care for him or her, then this may be cause for a lawsuit. If your child suffered severe brain damage or died as a result of a drowning accident, then you need to seek damages from any negligent parties that can be held responsible. Use this directory to locate a personal injury attorney near you today!