Missouri Injury Lawyers Blog

Summer may be unofficially over because of the passing Labor Day holiday and because the kids are back in school, but unfortunately there are still other places your children can drown besides the backyard pool. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has highlights from 2005- 2006 of nearly 600 reports with children under five years old involved in "submersion incidents." The majority of those incidents involved bath and bath related materials with children under two. Out of 431 reported fatalities, 92 percent of those occurred in homes.

Below are a few tips on keeping your children safe in the bathtub:

• Don't leave a baby or young child in a bathtub under the care of another young child.
• Always keep a young child within arm's reach in a bathtub.
• If you must leave, take the child with you.
• Never leave young children alone near any water or tub or basin with fluid. Young children can drown in even small amounts of water.

Other safety precautions:
• Consider placing locks on toilet seat covers in case a young child wanders into the bathroom.
• Learn CPR. It can be a lifesaver when seconds count.
• Never leave a bucket containing even a small amount of liquid unattended. Toddlers are top heavy and they 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.

Every year as summer heats up, Americans head for the nearest lakes, rivers and pools for fun and relief from the scorching heat. The tragedy in Shreveport this week demonstrates how quickly accidents can happen on the water. According to news reports, the Shreveport teens drowned in the Red River after they were playing shallow water, when they inadvertently stepped off a ledge into an 18 foot drop off. Although there were some adults in the group, it is reported that no one knew how to swim.

When swimming and playing in lakes and rivers, the American Red Cross offers these safety tips:

• Learn to swim and make sure that your children know how to swim.

• Understand that swimming ability alone, is not enough to always prevent drowning--even good swimmers have medical emergencies or unexpected situations that can affect one's ability to swim to safety or to save others.

• Select an area that has good water quality and safe natural conditions. Murky water, hidden underwater objects and unexpected drop-offs, like what occurred in Shreveport this week, can turn a fun event into a tragedy.

• Learn CPR and make sure that other people supervising your children also know CPR.

• Remember that feet-first entry is much safer than diving. Too many swimmers are seriously injured every year by entering headfirst into water that is too shallow.

• Maintain constant supervision of children around any water environment..

• Make sure children and other non-swimmers use a coast-guard approved life vest, but remember that floatation devices are no substitute for adult supervision.

• Don't use alcohol. Alcohol influences balance, coordination and judgment, and its effects are heightened by sun exposure and heat.

The lawyers and staff at Tatlow, Gump, Faiella and Wheelan, LLC of Moberly, Missouri hope that you and your family have a safe and fun summer and enjoy your time on and around the water.

Continue reading "Six Teenagers Tragically Lose Their Lives In Louisiana Drowning Incident" »

Missouri is known for its beautiful lakes and scenic waterways and water recreation is a popular way to cool off on those hot and sultry Missouri afternoons. However, summer fun can quickly turn to tragedy for the unwary.

Drowning accidents claim the lives of thousands of people each year. The Centers for Disease Control and prevention (CDC) reports that in 2005 alone, there were 3582 fatal unintentional drownings in the United States, and an additional 710 people died in boating related incidents. In 2006, the U.S. Coast Guard received reports for 4967 boating incidents. Among those who drowned, 9 out of 10 were not wearing life jackets. More than one in four fatal drowning victims are children 14 and younger. Most drownings in those over 15 years of age occur in natural water settings such as lakes, rivers or the ocean.

Some of the major risk factors in drowning accidents are (1) lack of appropriate barriers and supervision; (2) age and recreation in natural water settings such a lakes, rivers or the ocean; (3) lack of appropriate choices in recreational boating; and (4) alcohol use.

What can you do to prevent water related injuries:

Designate a responsible adult to supervise young children while in or around water.

Always swim (or boat) with a buddy

Learn to swim. Be aware that the American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend swimming classes as the primary means of drowning prevention for children younger than four.

Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

If you have a pool at home, install a fence that completely separates the house and play area of the yard from the pool area. Also consider additional barriers such as automatic door locks or alarms to prevent access or to notify you if someone enters the pool area.

If you are in or around natural bodies of water, always use U.S.Coast Guard approved life jackets when boating, regardless of distance to be traveled, size of boat or swimming ability of boaters.

Watch for dangerous waves and signs of currents.

Don't use alcohol. Alcohol influences balance, coordination, and judgment, and its effects are heightened by sun exposure and heat.




Continue reading "Summer Fun Turns Tragic in Missouri Drowning Accidents" »