A dad has warned other parents about the potential dangers of letting kids play in hot tubs after his son was sucked into a filter.
Alex Williams, from Shrewsbury, said son Harry was left unconscious when he was pulled inside and trapped there due to the suction.
It took three men to finally pull him free, which they were able to do as luckily they had been close by and saw it happen on August 29.
Mr Williams shared photographs on Facebook showing how his son was injured, with lacerations to his back and shoulders.
He was given CPR and taken to hospital by air ambulance, where he stayed for several days.
Describing the type of hot tub, Mr Williams said the filter outlet was ‘covered partially but there is a large rectangular hole which takes in the water and sends it to the filter and Harry was sucked into this outlet and could not escape’.
He posted: ‘Family were in full view and as soon as this occurred they immediately rushed to his assistance and it took three men to release him from the suction despite the tub being turned off straight away.
‘When he was pulled out he was unconscious and CPR was started.
‘Harry was airlifted to Birmingham Children’s Hospital where he received brilliant treatment both on the journey and during his recovery where he was monitored over a period of days.
‘Fortunately Harry is now home and on the mend however had he not been rescued from the tub so quickly and the treatment been so good he may not be here today.
‘If anyone has or are thinking of buying hot tubs, spas or pools please ensure they are safe to use, are checked regularly and children are being watched at all times as stated in the unit’s user manual.
‘You do not expect something that is so enjoyable to turn out to be life threatening, however this can be the case.
‘Please, please be aware and be careful, I do not want this to happen to another family where there might be a worse outcome. Please feel free to share.’
He later updated the post to say that Trading Standards had been informed and BISHTA, the trade association that represents the British and Irish Hot Tub and Swim Spa Industry, are ‘taking this forward’.
Harry is ‘making a brilliant recovery’, he said.
Thousands of people shared and commented on his post and he thanked them for their interest and well wishes.
‘Our children are our world and this has been a horrible time, however we do not want this to happen again to anyone hence the post.
‘I’m sure most tubs and spas are safe, however this obviously should not happen so please where a child is playing in water please watch at all times.’
In 2017, a four-year-old British girl had to be treated in intensive care after she was sucked into the mechanism of a hot tub at a hotel in Bulgaria.
Isabella Floyd, 4, was relaxing with her mum Nicola when she also became stuck in the filter, badly damaging her bowel.
She could only be freed after a lifeguard switched off the power.
In another incident in 2016, a five-year-old boy was left scarred for life after being sucked into a hot tub filter while on holiday in South Africa.
His mum began working with drowning prevention charity the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) to raise awareness.
RLSS UK’s CEO, Di Steer, said at the time: ‘What happened to Sam must have been terrifying for all involved and we are so pleased he is now okay.
‘We urge people to please always take time to look for and identify any potential water dangers when at home or, particularly on holiday when people’s guards are down and they are relaxing and less familiar with their surroundings.’
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
from News – Metro https://ift.tt/3DRl2sQ
0 Comments