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Statistics and current events prove that the idle months of summer pose the highest risk of danger to North Florida children’s safety. Drowning and gun accidents are on the top of the list for fatal threats. Fortunately, both instances are preventable and education is the key.
According to the Florida Department of Health, Florida reported the highest number of drownings for children under the age of 5 than any other state in the United States. Recent headlines demonstrate this danger; four children nearly drowned in pools from June 16-21 in Palm Beach County. As such, it is a responsible question to ask- Is your child protected from drowning? In order to prevent your child from drowning, take your child to swimming lessons and be vigilant about securing access to any water.
Firearm injures account for the second leading cause of death for children, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For example, firearm accidents in Palm Beach County alone claim an average of one child’s life a month. In every instance of firearm-related deaths, vulnerable children found access to a loaded weapon that was not properly secured. Officials say that the summer months pose the most danger. West Palm Beach police, the Palm Beach County’s Sheriff’s Office, the Palm Beach County Children Services Council, pediatric physicians and others recently teamed up to encourage parents to keep their firearms in a secure location.
Summer should be a fun and safe time for your children. Jacksonville, Orlando and other Florida parents should educate themselves about pool and firearm safety so they can prevent their children from any unnecessary harm. For more information on this topic, see Summer is peak season for child dangers, so parents beware.