We all know it is important to pay attention to our kids, but far too many parents are distracted by their smartphones or other devices these days, and it is becoming dangerous for children. With all the distractions available in the palm of our hands, we need to be more aware of the dangers of distracted parenting.
Dangers of Distracted Parenting in the Car
According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, the number one cause of death for children from one to four is an accidental death. This can include motor vehicle accidents or other 
forms of daily accidents. While there can be many causes for a car accident, distracted driving is absolutely a cause that can be avoided. Next time you are in the car and think about replying to a text or checking Facebook while your kids are strapped into the backseat, think again. Not only are you endangering yourself and other drivers on the road, but you are putting the lives of your children at risk.
Distracted Drownings
In South Florida, we don’t have a short “pool season.” In fact, many of us are in the pool year-round. While this may mean year-round fun for swimmers, what it can also mean is that we have a year-round risk of drownings if we are not careful. Even when kids know how to swim, parents must be always paying attention any time the kids are in the water.
The German Lifeguard Association, which is the largest in the world, reported that there were over 300 drowning deaths in that country during the summer of 2018 alone, and many of those deaths were attributed to parents being distracted by their phones while their children were in danger. We know about the dangers of texting and driving, but what about the dangers of texting while your children are swimming?
One Texas mom learned the hard way when she was accused of texting while three of her children were drowning in a nearby apartment complex pool. With endless entertainment available in the palm of your hand through apps and social media on your phone, you must not forget your responsibility as a parent to ensure that your kids are safe. Drownings can occur over the course of mere seconds, so it just takes a moment when you take your eyes off the water for a fun afternoon to turn deadly. Any time there are children in or near water, parents should have their eyes on their kids and not on their screens.
Reminders for Pool Safety
The CDC warns that drowning rates are highest among children from one to four years old. This includes children who may have already learned how to swim. Just because someone has taken swimming lessons does not mean that they are a fully competent swimmer. Drownings are most common among children because most of them are not at a height that allows them to touch the floor of the pool while they are struggling in the water. People who are drowning may not make a lot of noise, and it may not be a dramatic incident that causes the drowning. Most drownings occur due to someone silently slipping below the water, so parents must always be on high alert and put down any distraction that could cause an accident to go unnoticed.
Distracted Caregivers
Distractions on smartphones are not only limited to parents. Sometimes caregivers of children may also be distracted by their screens and be unaware of the danger they are putting children under their care in by not paying close attention. If you have a nanny or family member who regularly watches your child, it might be a good idea to speak with them about the dangers of distracted caregiving. One moment too long on their phone while your child under their supervision could mean the difference between life and death or a serious injury.
At Panter, Panter, and Sampedro, we want to make sure that every child is safe, especially while under the care of a responsible adult. We provide regular safety tips and reminders on our blog, and we are also here to support you if your child is injured due to the negligence of a caregiver. If you are interested in staying in contact, sign up with your email to receive our newsletter. Or contact us at 305-662-6178, or panterlaw.com.
References:
Hafner, J. (2018, August 15). Child drownings linked to phone-distracted parents who fail to look up. Retrieved from https://usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/08/15/child-drownings-linked-phone-distraction-among-parents-pools/998836002/
Goldstein, S. (2018, April 09). Texas mom was texting, using cell phone as three children drowned in pool: Witnesses . Retrieved from https://nydailynews.com/news/crime/texas-mom-cell-phone-3-kids-drowned-witnesses-article-1.2290785
Distraction from cell phones can lead to drowning. (2019, July 16). Retrieved from https://nortonchildrens.com/news/distraction-from-cell-phones-can-lead-to-drowning/
You Won’t Believe How Many Parents Are Texting And Driving. (2018, July 16). Retrieved from https://fatherly.com/health-science/most-parents-drive-kids-distracted-with-phones/
Death among children and adolescents: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001915.htm
