Having a child with special needs means that parents need to take added precautions. No parent wants to see their child injured, especially when that injury is the result of someone else’s negligent actions.

The weather is getting warmer which means it is the time of year when a hazard to children becomes more prevalent—drowning. In many cases, these are avoidable tragedies. It is important that this summer while enjoying your local pool or waterpark you ensure that your child is safe from drowning.

SafeKids.org explains that, “drowning is a silent killer—it happens quickly and quietly. Water safety is important for any family, but this is especially true for families of children with special needs.”

While visiting a place such as Dorney Park’s Wild Water Kingdom in Allentown, parents should make sure that the attractions they enjoy are age appropriate and safe for your child. As much as we would like to rely on trained life guards to watch over our children, that is not always the case. A child can still drown or suffer serious injury in a pool or at a waterpark that has lifeguards, which is why you need to take the proper precautions.

It is scary to consider, but it is unfortunately a fact that, 25 percent of all drowning victims are under the age of 14 and in most cases the child was out of sight for less than five minutes. The leading cause of these accidents is negligence be it due to inadequate fencing, failure to post proper warning safety signs, failure to supervise young children, or failure to maintain the pool area and equipment.

Tips to Keep Your Child Safe in the Water

1.  Make sure you have the proper life jacket for your child.
2. Always make sure while at a waterpark or pool that there is a qualified life guard on duty. This does not mean you do not have to watch your child, it is added safety.
3.  Your special needs child, or any child for that matter, should be within arm’s reach of an adult.
4. Take an Adaptive Aquatics Class like those offered at your local YMCA.

You should never allow your child into the water if they are not adequate swimmers. Also, when you arrive at the water park or local pool be sure to inform the lifeguards of your child’s condition such as if they are deaf. If your child is injured while at a waterpark or pool and you believe it was caused by the negligence of another speak with an attorney today to learn the options available to you.

Links:

Personal injury lawyers in Allentown | Serious injury in a pool