Drownings and near drownings are a danger for children in Homestead and other South Florida communities. Because of the year-round sunny weather, swimming pools are a popular source of fun. Many homes and virtually all communities have them. In addition, Southern Florida has many waterways and children often have access to lakes, rivers, ocean shores, and other water areas.
There are many ways you can keep your child safe around water:
- Get your child swimming lessons early. As soon as possible, sign up your child up for swimming lessons so they will be a strong swimmer. Encourage your child to get at least a few years of lessons so they understand the dangers of water and so that they understand water safety.
- Secure your own swimming pool. If you have a swimming pool, make sure it has a self-locking gate to keep children out of the pool area. It is your duty as a homeowner. In addition, you may want to install an alarm system so you are alerted if anyone does manage to evade your safety system and enter the pool area unattended. Children at swimming pools are at particularly high risk of water related accidents.
- Keep children well supervised around water. Whether you’re visiting a family friend with a pool or are enjoying a vacation by the lake, make sure that there are multiple adults supervising children at all times. Children are naturally attracted to water and it only takes a few minutes and a few inches of water for a child to drown.
- Make sure your children wear safety vests on boats. In fact, everyone should wear flotation devices on boats to ensure that in the case of an emergency everyone can get to safety.
- Keep in mind that drowning is not the only danger in the water. In Florida, alligators and crocodiles as well as water wildlife can pose a serious danger to small children. Be aware of the dangers and always supervise children. Never allow children to play near or around areas that may contain wildlife which may be a danger to them.
Has your child been injured in a water related accident? Contact Flaxman Law Group at 1-866-352-9626 (1-866-FLAXMAN) for a free accident consultation with a Homestead pool injury attorney. Our attorneys have secured millions of dollars on behalf of parents who have had a child lost or seriously injured due to property owner negligence. Our attorneys have more than six decades of combined experience and would be happy to meet with you in a free, no obligation case consultation to review your options.