CPSC Warns Consumers of In Home Drowning Dangers

Homeowners who have a swimming pool understand the accompanying dangers of having one in their yard, especially where small children are concerned. Drownings, even with gates and safety equipment in place, still occur which means that remaining vigilant at all times is very important.

Indoor Drowning Threats

While the outdoor threat is always present, a lot of families are not always aware that indoor threats to their children loom. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) bath tub drownings are the second most common place after pools where children are likely to drown.

To that end, the CPSC has issued the results of a survey which found that 90 children died between 2003-2005 due to drowning in a bath tub, baby seat, bucket and other products. The majority of drowning cases and what the CPSC calls “non-fatal submersion incidents” almost always involved children younger than two years old.

“What parents need to know is that anywhere there is water, there is a potential drowning hazard to children,” said Inez Tenenbaum, CPSC Chairman. “Parents shouldn’t let their guard down; young children need constant supervision around bathtubs, bath seats and buckets.”

Inattention Can Prove Deadly

Inattentive caregivers or having an older sibling watch a younger sibling are some of the reasons why children drown. It can be as simple as answering the phone or retrieving a towel which could prove deadly for small children.

At the urging of the CPSC, the organization recommends parents and caregivers follow outlined safety tips when children are around bathtubs, bath seats, buckets, spas, or decorative ponds or fountains including:

Never leave young children alone, even for a moment, near any water. Young children can drown quickly in even small amounts of water.

Always keep a young child within arm’s reach in a bathtub. If you must leave, take the child with you.

Don’t leave a baby or toddler in a bathtub under the care of another young child.

Never leave a bucket containing even a small amount of liquid unattended. Toddlers 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.