Hospital Reports Sharp Rise in Swimming Accidents and Deaths

Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital says it has seen a dramatic increase in the number of swimming pool accidents this year. In just one month, eight children have drowned in an area swimming pool; 11 have been treated for near drowning.

Those statistics are much higher than the numbers for this time last year when one child drowned and four others were treated. Vanderbilt Pediatrics professor Dr. Thomas Abramo says caretakers need to make sure their focus is on the child – not texting, talking on the phone, or checking email.