Mental Health

CPSC Warns of Children Drowning in Bathtubs, Issues Guidelines

By Drishya Nair | Update Date: Sep 28, 2012 07:29 AM EDT

Parents of very young children always need to be alert and be aware as to what their child is up to and what could cause him/her danger. It is easy for toddlers to meet with accidents at home, with furniture and other things we use every day at home, and which may not look lthat threatening to us. Many of the accidents at home have even turned fatal for babies, with drowning being the leading cause of unintentional death among children aged 1 to 4 years-old.

There are number of cases reported of children drowning in bath tubs, buckets, bath seats , toilets etc,  between 2006 to 2010, for it takes just a few inches of water for a small child to drown. Between these four years, 684 incidents were reported involving children younger than five-years-old. The cases included 434 fatalities, 233 injuries, and 17 incidents with no known injuries.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging parents and caregivers to look for and protect toddlers against drowning risks inside and around their homes.

In the reported statistics of the drowning incidents, apparently 82 percent of the victims were younger than 2 years of age, and 81 percent of the incidents involved bathtubs or bath related products.

It seems, after swimming pools, bathtubs are the second leading location where young children drown.

"Too many young children are drowning," said Chairman Inez Tenenbaum in the press release. "Just as with pools, I urge parents and caregivers to childproof their home and constantly supervise young children around bathtubs, bath seats and buckets. Taking extra safety steps at home can help prevent a tragic drowning."

According to the report, 28 percent of the fatal cases of drowning took place due to a lack of supervision by either a parent or a care taker. The incidences include the elders leaving the child in the bath tub and going out to attend a call or to answer the door. It seems, in 23 percent of the cases, the younger child was left with usually an older child.

CPSC has provided certain guidelines on ensuring safety from drowning. They include:

  • Do not toddlers alone near any water or tub or basin with fluid.
  • If you need to leave while the baby is bating in the bathtub, take the baby along while leaving.
  • Don't leave a baby or young child in a bathtub under the care of another child.
  • Do not leave buckets with liquid left unattended. Toddlers are top heavy and tend to fall headfirst.
  • After using a bucket, empty and store it out of children's reach.
  • Consider placing locks on toilet seat covers.
  • Learn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). It can be a lifesaver when seconds count.

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