Bucket Drownings Guidelines

OMB Control Number 3041-0029

INVESTIGATION GUIDELINE

Appendix 113
25 June 1997
Bucket Drowning and Near-Drowning Incidents

Complete the Epidemiologic Investigation Report (CPSC Form 182), the
Bucket Incident Data Record Sheet (Attachment A), and a narrative
description of events leading to the incident. Attach any copies of death
certificates, police reports, photographs, or other documents in the full
investigation.

I. Introduction
A. Background Information
CPSC has received reports of about 300 bucket-related drowning deaths since 1984.
Recent data indicate about 40 deaths each year. The typical incident scenario involves a
young toddler just learning to walk tumbling into the bucket and drowning while briefly
unattended. Detailed information about drowning and near-drowning incidents is needed
to monitor this hazard and the effectiveness of industry's voluntary labeling standards and
information and education efforts. Specific information about physical features of the
victim, bucket, and situation is very important.
B. Product Description
Buckets involved in drownings are typically plastic, cylindrical, slightly narrower at the
bottom (to facilitate stacking), and from 4- to 6-gallons in rated capacity. However, some
drownings involve buckets of other compositions, shapes, and sizes. The buckets exhibit
a broad spectrum of original contents; some are purchased empty. They almost never
contain their original contents at the time of the incident. At the time of the incident, they
are usually being used for some household function such as cleaning floors, washing
diapers or clothes, etc.

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II. Instructions
A. General Information
Collect precise information about physical features of the victim, bucket, and incident
scenario in every case. Accurate physical information about the victim, such as his or her
height, weight, and age, is crucial. Victim information may be obtained from recent
medical records, autopsy reports, birth or death certificates, parents, or other reliable
sources. If reliable victim height information is unavailable, try to determine the victim's
date of birth and birth length (specified on a birth certificate), which will allow estimation
of the victim's height at time of incident.
If the bucket can be examined, reliable measurements of its physical dimensions are
indispensible. If the bucket is unavailable for inspection, but sufficient information about
the bucket is available from reliable sources, it may be possible to obtain precise
dimensions of an identical bucket from the manufacturer, retailer, or other source of the
bucket. Report whether a drowning warning label was on the bucket and, if so, whether
the caretaker knew about it and took precautions. If there was a warning label, report the
language in which it was written (English, Spanish, or both). Identify the bucket
manufacturer, date of manufacture, and original contents of the bucket. (The
manufacturer's name is typically found on the bottom of the bucket with a clock
indicating date of manufacture.)
Information about the incident situation is also essential. Include a narrative description
of the proximal sequence of events leading to the incident. Determine how the baby
entered the bucket. Did the baby crawl or walk to the bucket and topple into the bucket
from a standing position on the floor? Did the baby fall from a bed or other object into
the bucket? Note whether a toy or other object was found in the liquid in the bucket
(which may have attracted the baby to the bucket). If available, photographs of the
bucket, victim, and/or setting provide useful information. Report the principal
language(s) spoken in the household where the incident occurred. Report evidence for or
against homicide, abuse or neglect, alcohol or drug involvement, etc.
B. Data Record Sheet
The Data Record Sheet (Attachment A) specifies primary questions to investigate. Full
completion of the Data Record Sheet is essential, even if answers to some questions
appear elsewhere in the full investigation report. Attach the completed Data Record
Sheet and narrative description of events leading to the incident to CPSC form 182,
Epidemiologic Investigation Report, followed by any copies of death certificates, police
reports, photographs, or other documentary materials in the completed investigation.

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Attachment A
Bucket Incident Data Record Sheet
(Attach to CPSC Form 182, Epidemiologic Investigation Report,
with narrative summary of event sequence and other documents.)
Task Number ggg

Incident Date ggg
✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

1.

Victim walking stage (circle one): walking pulling-up crawling sitting-up none

2.

Victim Height: ggg

ggg
pounds; Age:_____months;

inches; Weight: ggg
✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

Race (Circle all that apply): Asian Black Hispanic Native-American White Unknown
3.

Did the incident occur at the victim's home? Yes No Unknown

4.

Principal language(s) of victim/caretaker household: ____________________

5.

Caretaker(s) at time of incident (e.g., mother):_____________________________

6.

Location of caretaker(s) at time of incident (e.g., room):____________________

7.

Location of bucket at time of incident: __________________________________

8.

Use of bucket at time of incident: _______________________________________

9.

Contents of bucket at time of incident:__________________________________

10.

Bucket physical dimensions (enter actual measurements for most similar shape):
Measurements to nearest eighth of an inch, please (e.g., 14 3/8 inches).
Top Diameter
Inside __________inches
Outside__________inches

Height
Inside __________inches
Outside__________inches

Top Depth
Inside __________inches
Outside__________inches

Top Width
Inside __________inches
Outside__________inches

Height
Inside __________inches
Outside__________inches

Bottom Diameter
Inside __________inches
Outside__________inches

Bottom Depth
Inside __________inches
Outside__________inches

Bottom Width
Inside __________inches
Outside__________inches

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11.

Height of liquid in bucket at time of incident:__________inches

12.

Bucket Capacity:________ gallons; Color:_____________

13.

Material bucket made of: Plastic Metal Other(___________________________)

14.

Name of manufacturer of bucket:_______________________________________

15.

Original contents of bucket:_____________________________________________

16.

Name of manufacturer of original contents of bucket: ___________________

17.

How/where did owner originally obtain bucket?_________________________

18.

Total number of similar buckets in home (counting involved bucket):_____

19.

Was there a drowning warning label on bucket? Yes No Unknown
If Yes:
Did caretaker know about it before incident? Yes No Unknown
In what language was label written? English Spanish Both Unknown

20.

Father's Age:

21.
22.

Mother's Age:
years; Occupation:
How many adults or children, other than the victim, were present at the
residence (inside or outside) when the incident occurred?

23.

How did child get into bucket?__________________________________________

24.

Any evidence of alcohol involvement? Yes No Unknown

25.

Any evidence of drug involvement? Yes No Unknown

26.

Any evidence of child abuse/neglect involvement? Yes No Unknown

27.

Any evidence of homicide (if applicable)? Yes No Unknown NA

28.

Please explain any Yes answers to questions 24-27 below:

years; Occupation:

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