By Candace Flanagan It’s that time of year again when the Florida Department of Health publishes its’ updates on injury


statistics. Looking at the “Profile for Non-FataI Injury Hospitalizations Visits, Florida Residents 2013”, Table 3 for “unintentional injuries”, you will see revealed some alarming information that we, as a community of Florida residents, need to take notice of and address – because it is that serious. 275 drowning injuries occurred in Florida requiring hospitalization visits. Recognizing that any


drowning injury could have resulted in a death makes this startling number even more frightening. Looking at the “Profile of Fatal Injuries, Florida Residents, 2013”, Table 3, “unintentional fatalities” the actual amount of deaths from drowning in 2013 was 382. The population with the highest incidence fell on ages one to four (1-4) with a fatality count of 62. Children absolutely must depend on adults to prevent them from being hurt; especially very young children. Young children cannot comprehend the inherent danger of water. We should note for the record that four (4) children under the age of one and fourteen (14) children between the ages of five and fourteen also died as a result of drowning. Unfortunately, there were many more drownings then the ones noted above at a variety of age groups. Although many items on this list are applicable to other age related drownings, the focus of this discussion is mainly child drowning prevention. Both tables can be found at the following link:


(http://www.floridahealth.gov/statistics-and-data/florida-injury-surveillance-system/index.html As we move to Florida swimming weather, please let’s remember:


 To isolate the pool from the house with a fence at least four feet high and child proofed entry ways.


 Have a second barrier that prevents children from getting into the pool area such as child proof locks on sliding glass doors or back doors to patios.


 Keep screened doors locked and if possible, add a fence around the property to keep neighborhood children out of the area.


 There are alarms you can get to alert you when a child gets out of a door or enters the swim area through a door, such as a screened door to the pool. There are also alarms that sound if a child falls into the pool. Pool professionals, security professionals, and home improvement stores have many options available to assist you in properly equipping your home.


 Children in a pool require focused attention – eyes should be on children at all times in or near the pool because a child can drown as quickly as in one minute. Sometimes drowning can be a silent killer; you may hear nothing to alert you. This is the time to focus on the task of child watching – it is very important to stay in the present moment of “attention” to the task.


 A phone should be nearby but avoid things like “texting” that draw attention away from the child or children. Know what to do in an emergency, such as calling 911 and first aid.


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