Summer is here, and one of the most popular pastimes when it comes to beating the at-times oppressive heat is frolicking in pools, either situated in a local public park or in a friend or loved one’s backyard. And while taking a dip in a pool can provide a great respite from the elevated temperatures and a nice way to relax or exercise, it can also present an opportunity for injury – or even death – if one is not cautious and adheres to basic safety guidelines.
Swimming pool accidents are one of the top causes of death in the United States, especially among children; after all, drowning is the number one cause of death for youngsters between the ages of 1 and 14, right behind automobile accidents, so it pays to exercise caution when playing in or around public or private pools.
And children aren’t the only ones at risk when it comes to water safety. 3,957 people in total, regardless of age, drowned unintentionally in non-boating related incidents between the years of 2010 and 2019, which averages out to approximately 11 per day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); kids under the age f 14 made up about one-fifth of those deaths, sadly.
So, when visiting a community pool at a local park or a friend’s home this summer, remember to have fun; however, it’s even more important to remember several vital safety tips to ensure that you and your loved ones avoid accidents that could result in life-long injuries…or even worse.
First of all, be sure to limit access to your pool when it’s not in use by installing a secure barrier around it to keep out unwanted parties, including curious neighborhood children who may be looking to cool off with a nice, refreshing dip in your pool, especially when you’re not around. Kids should always be instilled with a respect for other people’s property, but sometimes they just can’t help themselves, and many unintended tragedies can be avoided if you make a point of erecting a barrier – such as a solid fence, including a gate with a locking mechanism – to keep things secure. Also be sure to keep climbable objects away from the fence so an industrious young tyke is unable to scale it and gain entry.
Second, adult supervision is an absolute must at all times, because it only takes a moment for a child to experience distress in a pool and horrifically vanish from sight when you least expect it. Always insist that a grown-up be present at all times, and that they keep a close eye on the proceedings. Also, depending on the depth of the pool, children should be discouraged from diving head-first into it, lest they hit their head on the solid bottom and risk serious injury…including becoming unconscious and subsequently drowning, so proper supervision is always very important.
Thirdly, as they say, “kids will be kids.” This often means the roughhousing will take place in many situations, and this especially holds true in a pool setting. However, that’s just the very sort of situation that behavior has no place in, as running about, wrestling, and not paying attention to supervising adults can be a recipe for potential disaster. Falls can take place, resulting in broken bones, as well as serious head and back injuries. In addition, a child can drown if rough play leads to an unintended fall into the pool, especially if they hit their head on the way down.
Fourth, make sure that you’re aware of everyone’s abilities and whether or not they are an effective swimmer, or if they need some extra assistance. If someone is not experienced in the water, make sure you keep a close eye on them, or that they have a chaperone. In addition, make sure you have life vests or inflatable floaters or other safety gear available for anyone who may not be comfortable in the water. Also, swimming lessons at an early age are highly recommended as well, and many public facilities offer them either at affordable prices or even for free, depending on where you live.
And finally, the importance of proper safety equipment cannot be overstated. Keep everyone who is swimming properly hydrated, as swimming in the hot sun can quickly rob you of your vital moisture and cause cramping. Also, make sure you have life-saving floatation devices on-hand at all times, as well as a fully-charged cell phone in case the authorities need to be summoned. Knowledge of CPR and basic first aid are important as well.
Make sure you follow these safety tips – and always use common sense – and you’ll drastically increase your chances of having a fun and accident-free summer while relaxing at the pool.
Have you or someone you know been injured in an accent through no fault of your own? Contact the accident attorneys at the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP at 866-878-6774 now or fill out our simple form for a free consultation.
