Injuryboard Commentary - drowning

Pet Doors are a Danger to Small Children

Billy Cunningham — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 11:16:23 GMT

This past week in Mobile a 2 year old girl crawled out through a pet door and nearly drowned in the family swimming pool. Her mother had left her in front of the family TV long enough to go check on laundry. When she returned, her daughter was not there and her 7 year old brother spotted her in the pool. The family pulled her out and called 9-1-1. CPR was performed at the home by the paramedics and she was taken to the hospital. On last report she was in critical condition at the hospital. The only way she could have gotten out to the pool was through a pet door was all the other doors were locked and the alarm system was on.

A website has been created by Carol Ranfone who lost a 2year old son, Matthew, by drowning. She created http://www.petaccessdangers.org/ to provide access for the public to be aware of the problem. Her tragic story was followed by Good Moring America ABC News report on May 12, 2009. It is too bad that the Mobile family did not see that report or know of the website.

More than a hundred children have died or been seriously injured in the last decade after squeezing through tiny pet doors and getting into swimming pools or other dangerous places, new research has found. "What we see is a picture that's emerging which shows that the pet door is a really serious hazard in a home that no one has really had on the radar screen," said Sean Kane, of Safety Research and Strategies. The pet door that the Rafones had contained no warning that young children could get through them. The news report also demonstrated the possibility of children getting through these rather small door. You can view it here. Click here to see the demonstration.

In most states the law requires that if there is a known hazard in the use of a product, the manufacturer is obligated to either ‘engineer’ out the hazard, guard against the hazard (like a guard over a pinch-point) and/or warn against the hazard.

The manufacturer of the door that Matthew went through also makes a pet with a remote device attached to a pet's collar unlocks the door as the pet approaches. The door then locks again after the pet exits. In its marketing materials, the company touts that the electronic lock "will prevent children from leaving the home." I also read reports where some manufacturers supply a plate that go over the opening to prevent the pets access. Those certainly should be employed to keep children from gaining access.

If you have pet door and small children around, please take all safety steps you can to make sure they do not get out through the door undetected.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Billy Cunningham

Infant Near Drowning - Remember Water Safety Does Not Stop With Summer

Jeremy Thurman — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:39:06 GMT

I recently came across an article regarding the near drowning death of a Nine-Month-Old Child in Tulsa Oklahoma.

Apparently a mother had a 19-month old showering with the 9-month old outside the tub. She was in another room doing chores when she went to check on the children. According to the article

When she went in to check on the children, the child taking the shower, that's when she found the nine month old infant outside of the tub in a puddle of water and it was lifeless and breathless at that point.

This story reiterates an important safety tips for parents of all children. One to two inches of water can be hazardous to a child. Just because summer ends and pools close doesn’t mean our children are safe for the seasons to come. The US Consumer Products Safety Commission reports that at least 459 children younger than 5 drowned at home from 1996 through 1999 and since 1984 over 275 children have drown in buckets. A child can drown as quick as it takes to answer a phone. Kids are curious around water and the splashing is inviting but can quickly become deadly. Children under the age of 1 most often drown in bathtubs, buckets, and toilets. Children aged 1 to 4 often drown in swimming pools, hot tubs, and spas. Children aged 5 to 14 most often drown in swimming pools, lakes, and rivers.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offer safety tips for protecting your children around water such as emptying buckets, pans, and bathtubs of water, keeping door closed to bathroom unless with child, locking toilets, and having safety knobs.

If you do find a child who is lifeless stay calm and remember your 123’s & ABC’s of CPR. Knowing and practicing CPR can change a deadly situation into a life saving one.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeremy Thurman

Family of Drowned 3-year-old Sues Ohio Water Park

David Mittleman — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:18:56 GMT

The family of a 3-year-old Dearborn boy is suing the Kalahari water park in Sandusky, Ohio after the boy drowned in a 3-foot deep wading pool on August 2^nd. The lawsuit alleges that the boy did not have a life vest, as required by Kalahari policy, and that the park did not have and adequate number of lifeguards on duty.

The boy’s mother lost sight of him as he entered the wading pool, which contained over 50 people. When employees finally located the boy, he was face down in the water. He was then transported to a local hospital, where he subsequently died.

The lawsuit specifically alleges that Kalahari should have known that additional lifeguards were needed on such a busy day, particularly during the height of the summer season. Furthermore, the lawsuit also argues that Kalahari always has a large number of visitors, which should’ve prompted the park to prepare with more lifeguards on duty. In fact, according to the lawsuit, the park brings in more than 1 million guests each year to its 250,000 square-foot park.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by David Mittleman

Diving Suit Hoses Recalled Due to Drowning Hazard

Chrissie Cole — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:51:00 GMT

SI Tech AB, in conjunction with the CPSC, announced a recall of 65,000 Diving Air Hoses for Dry Suits because an insert on the hose can dislodge during divining, which in turn restricts air flow to the diver, posing a drowning hazard.

The recall involves a dry suit inflation hose that connects a diver’s dry suit to the air supply and allows for the pumping of air into the suit to set up a positive pressure arrangement to help keep it watertight. The hose contains an air flow restricting insert that may be black, blue or green in color.

To this date, the company has received six reports of hose inserts dislodging, including one reported death of a diver in Los Angeles, California.

The recalled equipment was manufactured in Sweden and sold nationwide at diving equipment retailers and distributors from July 2006 to February 2009.

Consumers should contact SI Tech for the location of an authorized dealer for a free repair. In the meantime, the diving equipment should not be used.

Call SI Tech at (877) 348-3529 anytime, or visit www.sitech.se

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Summer's Over But Drowning Dangers Still Loom In Your Home

Sandy Grinnell — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:45:21 GMT

As we prepared for hot summer days and fun in the pool last June, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC) reminded parents of ways to keep their children safe from drowning around pools and lakes. Now that most pools are closed for the season, the CPSC wants parents to be aware that there are just as many drowning dangers in the home as there are outside the home .

Did you know that from 2003 to 2005, an average of 90 children under the age of 5 died each year by drowning in something other than a pool or spa? Most of those children were under the age of two and the majority of those drowned in a bathtub or bathinette. Children have even drowned in just a bucket with water in the bottom.

Inez Tenebaum, Chairman of the CPSC, says that

“What parents need to know is that anywhere there is water, there is a potential drowning hazard to children. Parents shouldn’t let their guard down; young children need constant supervision around bathtubs, bath seats and buckets.”

Since most young children are not allowed to take a bath by themselves, toddler drownings usually take place when the parent walks away for just a minute to answer the phone, go to the front door, or to get the towel that they forgot.

The CPSC has asks parents and child care workers to following these guidelines:

Never leave young children alone, even for a moment, near any water. Young children can drown quickly in even small amounts of water.

Always keep a young child within arm's reach in a bathtub. If you must leave, take the child with you.

Don't leave a baby or toddler in a bathtub under the care of another young child.

Never leave a bucket containing even a small amount of liquid unattended. Toddlers can fall headfirst into buckets and drown. After using a bucket, always empty and store it where young children cannot reach it. Don’t leave buckets outside where they can collect rainwater.

Learn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). It can be a lifesaver when seconds count.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Sandy Grinnell

Driving and Ditch Drownings

Steve Lombardi — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:26:00 GMT

On October 7^th 2009 the Plymouth County sheriff’s office said that its deputies found the body of 29 year old Michael Ahlers while investigating a report of a car in the river. It is being reported that the car was partially submerged in the Little Sioux River. The investigation remains open however authorities are stating that they do not believe foul play was involved.

I've previously written about rural ditches and how dangerous they are when cars, trucks and motorcycles leave the county roads. Here are a few stories I've previously written.

InjuryBoard Des Moines Archives | August 2007
Steve Lombardi | August 31, 2007 12:00 AM | 0 Comments Category: Motorcycle Accidents ... bound on P53 when he lost control of the bike around a curve and rolled into a ditch ...
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InjuryBoard Des Moines Archives | September 2007
Steve Lombardi | September 28, 2007 12:00 AM | 0 Comments Category: Head & Brain Injuries ... The Gazette reported a motorcycle rolled over "several times" after going into the ditch ...
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All Topics | InjuryBoard Des Moines
Steve Lombardi | September 23, 2009 2:17 PM | 0 Comments Des Moines, IA. This one is coming out ... at 2:50pm occurred when a Toyota Tundra left the curved roadway, crashed into the ditch ...
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InjuryBoard Des Moines | Iowa Personal Injury Attorney
Steve Lombardi | October 04, 2009 3:08 PM Category: Defective & Dangerous Products ... Sheldon, IA was driving a Honda ATV on September 18, 2009. Driving in the east ditch off ...
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InjuryBoard Des Moines Archives | July 2007
Steve Lombardi | July 27, 2007 12:08 AM | 0 Comments Category: Head & Brain Injuries ... four or five times on Interstate 80 before it flew over the median and landed in a ditch
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InjuryBoard Des Moines Archives | April 2009
Steve Lombardi | April 22, 2009 11:11 PM | 0 Comments Category: Automobile Accidents ... Appanoose County when he lost control of his vehicle striking a tree in the West ditch.
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InjuryBoard Des Moines Archives | June 2007
Steve Lombardi | June 27, 2007 10:22 AM | 0 Comments Category: Wrongful Death ... says two bicyclists were struck by a pickup truck, sending one into the east ditch and ...
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InjuryBoard Des Moines Archives | September 2009
Steve Lombardi | September 30, 2009 10:15 PM | 0 Comments Category: Motorcycle Accidents ... at 2:50pm occurred when a Toyota Tundra left the curved roadway, crashed into the ditch ...
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Automobile Accidents | InjuryBoard Des Moines
Steve Lombardi | September 29, 2009 9:28 AM | 1 Comment Des Moines, IA. It’s a new week and ... at 2:50pm occurred when a Toyota Tundra left the curved roadway, crashed into the ditch ...
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InjuryBoard Des Moines Archives | June 2009
Steve Lombardi | June 17, 2009 3:48 PM | 17 Comments Category: Automobile Accidents. This is one of those accidents I hate writing about but without this posting the relatives and ...
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Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Steve Lombardi

Swimming Pool Accident Lawyer Jesse Guerra Discusses Indianapolis Apartment Complex Drowning

Jesse E. Guerra Jr. — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:54:09 GMT

According to several news stories, a three year old boy drowned Tuesday afternoon after gaining access to the complex pool. Little is known how the boy got into the fenced area www.wishtv.com/dpp/news/local/marion_county/Mother_of_drowned_toddler_speaks_out_20090924.

However, a news video clearly shows the pools defects that may have allowed easy access to this innocent toddler found floating in the pool by his mother.

State laws that regulate pools in the state require fences. While a fence did exist at the pool. The question that remains is was this enclosure secure? Investigation will surely follow. Our firm handles pool cases every day and many of which have involved fence enclosures. We have a national reputation for representing victims in situations such as this one.

It should also be noted that state apartment associations generally provide guidance for property owners to prevent accidents such as the one at issue here. If anyone would like more information about what can be done in these situations or about pool safety we can be reached at www.injuryboard.com or feel free to visit our website at www.swimmingpoolaccidentlawyer.com

It has also been determined that some changes have been made to the enclosure to ensure this does not happen again. However, the change comes too little too late.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jesse E. Guerra Jr.

Learn Lessons from a Young Boy Drowning in a Pool

Karl Truman — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:02:00 GMT

John Pluchinsky was a 4 1/2 year-old boy attending Space Week day camp at the Houston Racquet Club in July 2007. He drowned in front of lifeguards and camp counselors because of failures in pool procedures and training, according to his parents and the state of Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

Hoping that no other parent would experience such a preventable tragedy, John's parents, David and Kathleen Pluchinsky created the web site www.ifpoolscouldtalk.com with information about the failures that let to their son's death. The site includes reports and transcripts from doctors and pool safety experts.

David and Kathleen describe the purpose as follows:

It is our wish that those responsible for water safety, from the club managers and camp directors to the individual counselors and lifeguards, can learn the lessons we have from the death of our son and take adequate safety precautions. It is our sincere hope that another family does not have to endure the lifelong pain of losing a child due to an easily preventable death.

Thank you David and Kathleen for using your experience to help others by educating pool managment, camp counselors, daycare operators and parents to create a safer environment for our children.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Karl Truman

Don't Drown - Be Water Safe and Wear Life Jackets

Bret Hanna — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 21:58:30 GMT

Drownings occur way too often in Utah. According to statistics reported today in the Salt Lake Tribune, drowning victims are most often teenage boys and toddlers. The Utah facts reported are:

Drownings are a leading cause of death for Utahns under the age of 18;
In an average year, 10 Utahns under 18 drown and 82 have near death water experiences; and
Last year, six Utahns under the age of 18 drowned and 62 had near death water experiences.

There is still a lot of water fun time left in the 2009 season, but already authorities have logged 11 boating deaths in Utah because life jackets were not worn. This statistic, combined with numbers that suggest that 80 percent of boating deaths nationwide are drownings of people not wearing life jackets underscore what I've said before - life jackets are the most important tool to keep you alive when you are enjoying water recreation activities. Other water safety tips highlighted are:

Never be more than an arm's length away from children when they are around water.

Actively supervise children who are playing in or near water. While supervising, avoid distractions like answering the phone, going to the door, etc.

Where there's water, designate an adult "child watcher" during parties and family gatherings.

Warn teenagers of the risks of overestimating how well they swim.

Everyone should wear a life jacket while on a boat or during water sports. Children should also wear a life jacket when near open bodies of water.

Learn CPR.

Never swim alone.

Never use "floaties" as life vests. They are toys and won't prevent drowning.

Don't allow or expect children to supervise other children in water settings.

Never leave a young child alone in the bathtub.

Install four-sided isolation fencing, at least five feet high, equipped with self-closing and self-latching gates, around a home pool or spa.

Teach your child how to swim but remember there is no substitute for supervision.

Do not let your child drive personal watercraft like jet skis.

Never allow your child to dive into water less than nine feet deep.

Empty all containers (buckets, wading pools, etc) immediately after use and store out of reach.

Source » The Utah Department of Health Violence and Injury Prevention Program

Even though the end of summer is drawing near, don't let your guard down when it comes to water fun - think, plan, use life vests, be safe and have fun.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Bret Hanna

Apartment Pool Drowning a Horrible Tragedy

Fred Schultz — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 11:55:50 GMT

It broke my heart to see that a 4 year old boy drowned in the pool at the Bachelor Heights apartment complex. I have a five year old son and simply cannot imagine, and don't want to even pretend to image, the pain his family is suffering.

Pools are a lot of fun in the summer, but they are also very dangerous. There is a good reason why homeowners insurance premiums can go sky-high when people have pools. As we all know, kids are curious, and the younger they are, the less they are able to appeciate danger.

A 4-year-old boy drowned Sunday in an apartment swimming pool just south of Bloomington.
The drowning happened at the Batchelor Heights pool, on West Gordon Pike, about 4:30 p.m., Monroe County coroner Nicole Meyer said.

Most apartments and hotels that have pools do not provide lifeguards, and often post signs that warn people. Many times the owners of the property think that this warning somehow eleviates them of any liability in the future. This is not the case, especially in a situation like this where you have a child that is incapable of appreciating the danger.

Property owners, whether commercial, apartment owners, or homeowners, who choose to have pools also have a duty under Indiana law to take reasonable steps to secure their property (including the pool) to make the premises safe. What is "reasonable" depends on the circumstances in each case.

Basically, the law recognizes that each situation may be a little different. What is "reasonable" for a homeowner to do may be different than what is "reasonable" for an apartment complex. It's not reasonable for a homeowner to have a lifeguard on duty, but it is reasonable to expect the homeowner to have a fence. Whether its reasonable to expect a commercial property to have a lifeguard or attendant also varies. For example, how often the pool is used, how many people have access to the pool, does the property charge admission to the pool, etc.

Much more needs to be known before anyone can assess blame in this situation, and the article in the paper references that the Sheriff's Department will be reviewing security camera footage. What is clear is that this a terribly sad story.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Fred Schultz