At least four toddlers have fallen victim to Texas swimming accidents over the last few weeks alone, according to reported by KHOU News. 

The latest aquatic accident occurred yesterday afternoon at a Houston apartment complex where a 4-year old boy drifted away from his mother for mere seconds before ending up in the facility’s pool.  The victim’s mother and relative found the child underwater at the Pine Lake apartment pool and were able to pull him out of the water.  He is expected to survive, but it is unclear whether he will suffer any permanent injuries as a result of the near drowning.

Just last Thursday another Houston toddler nearly died after falling into a pool at the Windshire apartments in the southeastern part of the city.  Just as in yesterday’s incident, the child was with his family playing near the pool mere seconds before he fell into the water.  The family was near the water, but it was a few minutes before they realized that the toddler was missing and that he was in danger.  Luckily, a nearby witness saw the boy in trouble, pulled him out, and was able to successfully perform CPR. The child was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, but he is expected to survive.

One day before that accident, a 4-year old boy was killed while attending a pool party in Harris County.  He was surrounding by party goers at the Cypress Station apartments when he somehow managed to fall into the pool.  Other guests did not notice that him in the pool water until it was too late.  Emergency crews attempted CPR, but the young child died later that evening.

As these Texas apartment pool accidents make vividly clear, the proper supervision of all young children near the water is essential to pool safety.  Most parents know that keeping a close eye on youngsters is mandatory in these situations.  However, that does not mean that those who own and operate these apartment pools do not have a responsibility to ensure that basic safety needs are met.    

For example, in each of the above examples, the water clarity at the time of accident may have been an important factor in the drowning.  Children who fall into properly clear water are much more likely to be quickly noticed and rescued by those nearby.  Conversely, if pool water is murky, than those looking directly in the water may not actually be able to see a struggling child.  That characteristic is often the difference between life and death in these time-sensitive situations.

Our Texas swimming pool lawyer at the J. Guerra Law Firm knows well the ways in which apartment pool owners and operators are often negligent in their upkeep of aquatic facilities.  The safety of children in these locations requires a community effort.  Caretakers must keep careful watch of the unaware children, and those who maintain the pool must ensure that basic safety standards like clear water, appropriate lifesaving devices, fencing, and locks are appropriately maintained. 

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