A Highly Avoidable Tragedy: Preventing Drowning Inside the Home
by SixWise.com

Yearly, over 3000 people on average drown in U.S. pools, lakes, seashores and other recreational areas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These recreational areas are what people generally think about when taking precautions to prevent drowning.

However, many people don't consider taking the simple measures to avoid drowning INSIDE the home, where hundreds of Americans drown yearly from what are largely preventable accidents. If you are a parent, grandparent or otherwise care for children, such measures are especially important, as children are by far most prone to drowning in the home.

1. Bathtub: Last month, in two incidents that were widely publicized in their respective regions, a 9-month-old Ohio boy drowned in the bathtub after his father left him alone, and a 12-year-old Chicago girl with cerebral palsy and a seizure disorder drowned while taking a bath after her mother stepped away to answer the phone.

Bathtubs represent the biggest threat of in-home drowning, but fortunately these incidents are also among the easiest to avoid. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, about two-thirds of drowning deaths in the home occur in bathtubs-and some of these happened while a child was confined to a bath seat or ring.

Whenever a child is in the bathtub, make sure they are being supervised. It only takes seconds for a child to drown -- just the time it takes to answer the phone or turn off the TV -- so simply make it a rule never to leave a child unattended in the bathtub at all.

2. Toilet: Believe it or not, toilets are a major home drowning hazard, particularly for children under the age of 3. Toddlers are curious and when going in for a closer look can fall in to a toilet headfirst and drown.

Toilet lids should always be kept down, but to prevent clever toddlers (and clever pets) from opening them up we recommend the inexpensive and simple-to-install toilet lock that won the "Show Off" award for ingenious, practical products from the Juvenile Products Manufacturer Association. This clever toilet lock that works with any type of toilet seat is made of strong plastic that, in its locked position, keeps the toilet lid securely closed, preventing little ones from accessing the bowl.

Grown-ups can swing the toilet lock back to an "off" position and open up the lid easily, without fumbling. Anyone who routinely has toddlers or young children in their home should consider one of these toilet locks for any bathroom a child may be able to access.

3. Buckets: Children can drown in as little as two inches of water, warns the CPSC. That means that any bucket with liquid in it can be a threat to children, who are "top heavy" by nature. As with toilets, if a toddler falls inside one, they're likely to fall in headfirst and it can be very difficult for them to free themselves once they do. Large five-gallon buckets that are widely used in homes are particularly dangerous-because of their tall sides and stability they're unlikely to fall over and give a child a chance to get out.

Never leave buckets that contain any amount of liquid unattended when small children (or pets) are present, and please always empty them immediately after use!

4. Hot Tubs and Spas: Many homeowners enjoy the use of indoor hot tubs or spas. They present an obvious risk when in use, as children can easily fall in when an adult's back is turned. And they pose a hidden threat when they're turned off and covered.

Babies and toddlers can crawl under the cover and slip into the water without disturbing the cover. So while the cover may appear in place, a child could be trapped underneath. This is particularly true with the non-rigid covers.

Your best protective option if you have an indoor hot tub is to put a child-proof latch on the door that leads to the hot tub so children cannot even get near it. Alternatively, if a door is not present, the Gateway to Go portable gate can be used to keep children clear of the hot tub. Gateway to Go is ideal for any parent or grandparent who needs to keep children in or out of certain rooms and areas of the home.

5. Fish tanks: Children will be drawn to the colors and excitement that aquariums provide, but they can easily fall inside and become trapped. Fish tanks should be kept far out the reach of young children.

6. Coolers: Remember that it only takes two inches of water to drown a child. That much water could easily be generated by melting ice or other liquids in a cooler. If children are around, large coolers should be kept safely stored away in a secure location.

For more home safety tips for kids, pets and adults, please review some of the articles below.

Recommended Reading

The Ten Most Common Poisons Among Kids

The Six Silent Killers in Your Home: How to Detect and Eliminate Them

Internet Safety for Kids: Seven Signs Your Child May be at Risk

The Top Household Dangers to Your Pets

Sources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Chicago Tribune

Miami Herald

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

National Center for Injury Prevention and Control