In the past few days, there have been three separate tragic drowning incidents in Massachusetts that claimed the lives of 4-year-olds.
- On Monday evening, The Lowell Sun reports that an unidentified 4-year-old boy drowned after he fell into his family’s swimming pool in their Groton backyard. His death has been ruled accidental
- Also on Monday night, 4-year-old Sydney Vinci of Lynnfield drowned in a pool at a 4th of July party at a family friend’s home in Lynnfield. The Boston Globe reported that the drowning is currently being ruled as an accident
- The third young drowning victim has been identified as Matthew Torres, 4, of Central Falls, Rhode Island, who drowned in an in-ground swimming pool in Attleboro while he and his family were visiting the home. According to The Boston Globe, Attleboro police are continuing to investigate the death but have reported that it appears accidental
Pool Safety Reminders
The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommends the following safety reminders to parents and other caregivers as kids cool off in the water this summer:
- Never leave your kids alone in or even around the swimming pool – even for a few seconds. This is especially important for children younger than age 5. Make sure that you are always an arm’s length from your child (or closer) at all times while in the water
- If you don’t already have a fence up around your pool, consider installing one as soon as possible. The majority of young children who are victims of drowning fall into pools after wandering out of the house. Fences should be over 4 feet tall and your child should not be able to lock or unlock the latch
- Always keep rescue equipment on hand with you while out by the pool and keep a cell phone or portable phone handy at all times
- Be sure to take out all of the toys in the water after using the pool so young children don’t reach for the toys, causing them to fall in
- Power safety covers are also an option for parents with young children. These completely cover the water when not in use, creating a safer environment for your children when you’re not using the pool
Drowning Statistics
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 5 people who die in fatal drowning incidents are children who are aged 14 or younger.
Young children ages 1 to 4 face the highest and most significant risk of drowning in a pool or other body of water. The CDC also reports that deadly drowning incidents are the 2nd leading cause of fatalities among children ages 1 to 14.
When to Contact a Massachusetts Child Injury Lawyer
If your child has been in a serious accident in Massachusetts, BEFORE you sign any forms, talk to the insurance company or hire a lawyer, contact a Boston accident injury lawyer with Kiley Law Group to find out about your legal options.
Thomas Kiley, also known as The Million Dollar Man, has over 30 years of experience and a successful track record of obtaining seven figure wins for clients in auto accident cases, medical malpractice, child birth injuries, brain injuries, and other personal injury cases.
Call 1-888-208-1695 to receive your FREE legal consultation today. And while the call is free, the information may be priceless.
DISCLAIMER: The Kiley Law Group is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited within the article. If you were involved in this accident or a similar incident and have questions about your rights and legal options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a legal evaluation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to all not-at-fault persons named in this article and to their family members as well.
