CPSC Warns of In-Home Drowning Dangers with Bathtubs, Bath Seats, Buckets

October 8, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. – THE END OF OUTDOOR SWIMMING AND POOL SEASON DOESN’T MEAN THE END OF DROWNING DANGERS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN. AFTER POOLS, MORE CHILDREN DROWN IN BATHTUBS THAN IN ANY OTHER PRODUCT IN AND AROUND THE HOME.

FOR 2003-2005, CPSC STAFF RECEIVED REPORTS OF AN AVERAGE OF 90 CHILDREN YOUNGER THAN 5 YEARS OF AGE WHO DROWNED IN BATHTUBS (62%), BABY SEATS OR BATHINETTES (15%), BUCKETS AND PAILS (11%), LANDSCAPING OR YARD PRODUCTS (6%), AND OTHER PRODUCTS (4%). THERE WAS AN ANNUAL AVERAGE OF AN ADDITIONAL 39 REPORTS OF NON-FATAL SUBMERSION INCIDENTS FOR 2005-2007 THAT WERE REPORTED FOR THE SAME PRODUCTS. THE MAJORITY OF DROWNINGS AND NON-FATAL SUBMERSION INCIDENTS INVOLVED CHILDREN YOUNGER THAN 2 YEARS OLD.

“WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW IS THAT ANYWHERE THERE IS WATER, THERE IS A POTENTIAL DROWNING HAZARD TO CHILDREN,” SAID INEZ TENENBAUM, CPSC CHAIRMAN. “PARENTS SHOULDN’T LET THEIR GUARD DOWN; YOUNG CHILDREN NEED CONSTANT SUPERVISION AROUND BATHTUBS, BATH SEATS AND BUCKETS.”

MANY OF THE REPORTED INCIDENTS INVOLVED A LAPSE IN SUPERVISION BY CAREGIVERS, SUCH AS LEAVING THE BATHROOM MOMENTARILY WHILE THE CHILD WAS IN THE BATHTUB TO ANSWER THE PHONE/DO

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