Drowning Remains a Leading Cause of Child Injury and Death

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on July 25, 2011

Despite increases in awareness and water safety measures, accidental drowning remains one of the major ways a child in the United States can be injured or killed, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Every day, the CDC estimates, ten people drown in the U.S., and at least two of every ten who drown are children under the age of 14. In fact, drowning is the second leading cause of death for children under 14, and the sixth leading cause of death for all U.S. residents.

More than 20 percent of drowning victims are children. However, drowning doesn’t merely kill children; it can also cause serious and irreversible injury. For instance, the CDC estimates that for every child who dies of drowning in the U.S., four more are admitted to a hospital for water-related injuries. Even if a child survives a drowning incident, they may suffer brain damage caused by lack of oxygen or other injuries suffered in those crucial minutes or seconds underwater.

To help prevent child injuries and deaths caused by drowning, the CDC recommends supervising children whenever they are around water, even when in the home. Using life jackets while boating or whenever children who cannot swim enter the water can help protect them from the risks of drowning. Extra supervision may be necessary in natural water like rivers, lakes, and ponds, to prevent strong currents or underwater hazards from injuring a child.

If your child has been injured in a water-related accident, the experienced Washington personal injury attorneys at Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. can help. To learn more, call us today at 1-888-228-3860 for a free and confidential consultation.