Water Related Incidents for Maricopa County:
2008 (Jan 1st-June 30th): 65 Incidents, 20 deaths (6 children / 14 adults)
2007 Totals: 79 Incidents (49 children / 30 adults), 16 Fatalities (4 children / 12 adults)
2006 Totals: 84 Incidents (57 children / 27 adults), 24 Fatalities (6 children / 18 adults)
2005 Totals: 78 Incidents (62 children / 16 adults), 15 Fatalities (10 children / 5 adults)
A study conducted by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to find out how child drowning incidents occur indicates that SUPERVISION CAN AND DOES FAIL.
- 69% of the accidents occurred while one or both parents were responsible for supervision.
- 10% were adults other than the parents.
- 14% were sitters.
- 7% siblings.
Where was the location of the pool drowning?
- 65% were in a pool owned by the child's family.
- 22% were at relatives.
- 11% happened at a neighbor's.
Drowning happens quickly and without warning. There is no cry for help.
77% of children that had been seen 5 minutes or less before being missed were subsequently discovered in the pool.
Where were they last seen?
- 46% were last seen in the house prior to being found in the pool. Of these, 15% were thought to be sleeping.
- 23% were last seen in the yard, porch or patio, not in the pool area.
- That's a total of 69% that were thought not to be in the pool area.
- 31% were last seen in the pool or pool area.
What activity was the person responsible for supervision involved in at the time of drowning?
- 39% were doing chores.
- 18% socializing.
- 9% were busy on the telephone.
The suddenness of this type of accident and the results it yields is devastating to anyone it touches. When you think pool, think stern. Even if this is not your personality, you must be an absolute dictator. Let your children know without any doubts, that it is your way or none at all.
