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Many families from across the country come to Florida to enjoy the year-round warm weather and water. Florida is one of the most popular destinations for aquatic sports and swimming, but unfortunately, it is also the most dangerous to young children and infants. According to data from the United States Swimming Foundation, Florida led the nation with the most child drowning deaths in 2017, with a total of 51 fatal child drowning incidents in pools or spas. In child drowning deaths, over eighty percent involve children under the age of 5. Nationwide, drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children ages 1-4.
With the incidents of infant and child drowning seemingly on the rise in Florida, it is necessary to take precautions when allowing young children to swim. In Florida, the prevalence of lakes, pools, rivers, and beaches make avoiding bodies of water altogether very difficult. Instead, it’s better to instruct young children how to swim and teach them water safety skills early to reduce potential accidents. In addition, supervision is extremely important. Many infant and child drowning deaths occur simply because there is not an adult present to supervise and intervene in child swimming activities. Generally, it is good to follow these swimming safety guidelines:
Badgley Law Firm is dedicated to helping central Florida families who have been impacted by a personal injury or wrongful death. For more information on how we can help, contact us at 407-487-4154