Pediatric Submersion Events in Portable Above-Ground Pools in the United States, 2001–2009

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to describe the epidemiology of pediatric submersion events occurring in portable pools in the United States. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of fatal and nonfatal submersion events involving children younger than 12 years in portable pools was conducted using injury and fatality data compiled by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission from 2001 through 2009. RESULTS: There were 209 fatal and 35 nonfatal submersion cases reported to the commission from 2001 through 2009. The majority (94%) involved children younger than 5 years, 56% involved boys, 73% occurred in the child's own yard, and 81% occurred during the summer months. The number of submersion events increased rapidly from 2001 to 2005 and then leveled off from 2005 to 2009. CONCLUSIONS: The use of portable pools in residential settings poses a significant risk of submersion-related morbidity and mortality to children, especially in the <5-year-old age group. No single strategy will prevent all submersion deaths and injuries; therefore, layers of protection are recommended. Industry is advised to engage in development of protective devices that are effective and affordable for portable pools, including isolation fencing, pool alarms, and safety covers. A strong and pervasive consumer education campaign is needed to make consumers aware of the dangers of portable pools, because these small, inexpensive, consumer-installed pools may not generate the same sense of risk as an in-ground pool.

Spatial analysis of paediatric swimming pool submersions by housing type

“…However, we believe this number is small. Between 2001 and 2009, there were 209 fatal and 35 non-fatal submersions in children under 12 in portable pools for the entire USA 36. Third, submersion locations were unavailable in 22% of the cases which may have decreased the accuracy of our findings.…”

Childhood Fatalities in New Mexico: Medical Examiner‐Investigated Cases, 2000–2010

“…The New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator (OMI) is the statewide, centralized agency for New Mexico, charged with investigating all deaths in the state, which are sudden, violent, unexpected, or unattended by a physician. Staffed by seven board-certified forensic pathologists, OMI conducts 2000 autopsies each year and investigates approximately one-third (5000) of all deaths occurring in New Mexico (15,000) each year (6).…”

Social determinants of health associated with childhood accidents at home: An integrative review

“…In the context of the AH caused by a specific cause, the poisonings or intoxications were also analyzed from the age of the child in seven surveys (18,21,(26)(27)30,32,41) . The same analysis was performed in cases of accidental drowning/submersion injuries in childhood (33) and television falling on the child (37) . Following the same tendency of studies involving AH without specification, it is evident that the most prevalent age group in these occurrences varies from one to three years old (37) , and one to five years old (18,33) , with a variation of the mean age of 31.8 (30) to 36 months (32) .…”

“…The same analysis was performed in cases of accidental drowning/submersion injuries in childhood (33) and television falling on the child (37) . Following the same tendency of studies involving AH without specification, it is evident that the most prevalent age group in these occurrences varies from one to three years old (37) , and one to five years old (18,33) , with a variation of the mean age of 31.8 (30) to 36 months (32) . The peak occurrence is usually between one and two years old (26)(27)30) and then decreasing to four years old (26) .…”