The World Health Organization (WHO) lists drowning as the third leading cause of death from unintentional injury all over the globe. This data also shows that children are most at risk of drowning. While water accidents are inevitable and unpredictable, there are ways parents can ensure that their kids are safe when swimming.

How to keep children safe

1. Eliminate potentially dangerous objects around children

To make sure that children are safe from falls and slips, remove objects that may cause these accidents. When in a swimming pool, make sure that no small toys, deflated pool floats, or even food packages litter the deck. Even big toys can cause them to tumble, lose their balance and get hurt.

1. Never leave children unattended

Nothing beats adult supervision when it comes to children’s safety. When in a social gathering, do not make the mistake of assuming someone can watch over your kid from time to time. Unless you designate someone to watch your kid closely while they play in the water, don’t leave them unattended.

1. Use life jackets and pool floats

Even if your kid knows how to swim, it is best to make them wear protective gears like life jackets and floats especially if they are at the beach or in unfamiliar pools. Even adults panic when they suddenly cannot touch the pool floor with their feet. Children are less likely to handle their emotions properly in situations like this and this may lead to accidents.

1. Make sure everyone in the family knows how to swim

The best way to be safe in and around the water is to have swimming skills. Not only does your kid need to learn how to swim, but swimming lessons from a professional also teaches children water safety guidelines and awareness. This lessens their risk of being in a water accident caused by panic and sheer negligence. Still, knowing that your child can swim is not a license to leave them alone. In 2019, Singapore was saddened by the news of the death of a 5-year old girl who drowned in Resorts World Sentosa. Her family thought she could swim and left her alone with a float in an adult pool.

1. Have an emergency plan

When prevention falls short, cure must step in. You must know how to perform first aid treatments for when your kid gets a scratch or a cut. Learning how to perform cardio-pulmonary resuscitation is also of paramount importance.

These water guidelines universally apply no matter where you are in the world. However, accidents happen even to the most cautious people out there. In the unfortunate event that your loved one gets injured, or worse dies, in a drowning accident, it is understandable that you are lost and confused. 

If the accident happened in a public water facility such as a resort, and you believe that negligence on the part of the management led to your loved one’s injury or death, you may file for a personal injury claim or a wrongful death claim.

While no amount of money will ever compensate for the loss of life, the compensation your family will be given may help pay off medical debt and secure future needs of your family. 

However, aside from the grief of dealing with your loss, filing this type of claim is difficult. It is critical that you consult lawyers who specialize in such claims to help you navigate such a difficult time. 

Grace Law LLC is specialised in personal injury claims and we will help ensure that you are at least financially compensated for the loss you suffered. Call or email us!