DROWNING PREVENTION
Drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury death for children under the age of 6 in Virginia. Several factors put young children at high risk for drowning. Young children are physically top-heavy, active, curious and impulsive. They are also too young to understand that pools and standing water can be dangerous. Children under the age of five years do not struggle in the water. They can drown without making a sound. Most drownings involving young children occur in residential settings. Most drownings or near drownings occur when adults are present and engaged in routine activities.
True Story
A two year old boy was found at the bottom of a pool by a bystander and was admitted to the hospital. A bar was missing from the fence around the pool and a basketball and soccer ball were floating in the water.