From 2000-2007 Osceola County has had a total of 29 drownings, 2007 had 5, though this number is actually lower than past years it would be great to not have to hear about another drowning or near drowning. Based on population this statistic ranks Osceola County among the top five counties in the State of Florida; a statistic and rank that no county asks for.

The majority of these drownings occurred in residential pools while children were unattended, though ponds, lakes, and bath tubs are also places in which these Osceola County children have drowned. In a recent study performed by Jackson Memorial Hospital and the Miami-Dade County Injury Surveillance System 32 drownings were looked at specifically statewide. Some of the results include that 18% were reported out of the parent’s sight for less than 10 minutes while 25% had been out of sight for 15-30 minutes. Also 25% of the police reports showed that there were no barriers to keep the children from gaining access to the pool area.

Did You Know...

• Every year approximately 350 children under the age of 5 drown in swimming pools.
• Nationally, drowning is the 2nd leading cause of injury-related death for children aged 1-4 years old, the first are motor vehicle accidents.
• Every child under the age of 6 in the State of Florida is required to wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket while on boats 26 feet in length and below.
• Zip code 34746 here in Osceola County has had the most drownings between 2000-2007 with 9, followed by 34747 with 6.
• For every child who drowns, 4 others are hospitalized for near drowning and as many as 3 suffer brain damage.

Play it safe and teach your children to swim.