Tis’ the Season for Pool Safety
Staying safe is important all year long, but with summer comes special concerns for safety around backyard and community pools. While you may think you have pool safety covered, taking a moment to consider the real danger posed by even wading pools is important.
For decades, our firm has represented families of children injured and killed in accidents. These tragedies can usually be avoided. Make sure you do your best to keep your children and friends safe by considering these points about pool safety:
- The youngest children are the most vulnerable. A report by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) found 75 percent of pool and spa drowning deaths occur with children under age five. While pool gates are essential to keep children away from pool areas, keeping a close eye on all children under age 15 in backyard pools is the best way to ensure a safe summer.
- Do not assume a wading pool or even a bucket of water is safe. A human can drown in just a few inches of water. A toddler who falls into a backyard pond can drown if unable to turn over or get out of the water. Death from drowning comes quickly and often quietly.
- Teach your children to swim and understand water safety from a young age. Of children who died at pools, 73 percent occurred in residential backyard settings.
Watch your child and their friends when playing in an in-ground, above-ground or wading pool. Know where the pump shut-off is and always have a charged cell phone with you on the pool deck in case of emergency.
It could be a perfect day for a swim. Make sure the day brings only fun and leaves only good memories. If you need good legal advice after an injury or accident, our consultation is free.