Pools are one of summer’s most popular destinations, a place to cool off, stay active, and spend time with family and friends. Whether you visit a public pool or take a dip in your own, practicing pool safety is essential to prevent drowning or other accidents while spending time around the pool.
Use a Barrier
If you have a pool of your own, reduce accident risks by installing barriers around it to prevent unsupervised or unauthorized access. The CDC recommends four-sided fencing that fully encloses the pool and separates it from the house, with self-closing and self-latching gates, ideally with the latch on the inside, out of reach of young children. Locked pool covers, door alarms, and window locks that restrict pool access offer additional layers of protection.
Keep an Eye on Young Swimmers
If you take kids to the pool, make sure a responsible adult watches them at all times to prevent them from falling in or experiencing other accidents that may cause serious injuries. Children should understand that they may only be in or around the pool with explicit permission and only when a supervising adult is present
Create a Safe Environment
Regularly inspect your pool and the area around it to address potential tripping or slipping hazards. Make sure the flooring surface around the pool is made of a material that won’t be slippery from people dripping water as they exit. Fix any broken ladders or other equipment in the pool, and pick up tripping hazards like hoses and pool toys.
Take Swimming Lessons
Teaching children swimming lessons is one of the most effective steps a parent can take to reduce the risk of drowning. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends starting lessons as early as age one. Many public pools, the American Red Cross, and YMCA locations offer affordable lessons for toddlers and infants.
Avoid Drains
Always avoid swimming near pool drains. Drain and suction openings can trap even a strong swimmer beneath the surface, and in the absence of immediate assistance, this can be fatal. Even if they are pulled to safety, drains and other openings can inflict injuries like lacerations, contusions, and ligament or muscle tears.
Follow Pool Rules
Pool rules exist for a reason, so make sure you and your family follow all posted signs and water safety tips when swimming in public, community, or fitness facility pools. Public pools usually post signs with rules like restrictions against running, towel-off requirements, age restrictions, and hours of operation. These rules are designed around the specific features and layout of each facility to protect all swimmers. Swimmers and those around the pool must also listen to all instructions or warnings from lifeguards.
Contact an Experienced Premises Liability Attorney After a Swimming Pool Injury
If the worst happens and you’re injured in a pool accident someone else causes, contact an experienced slip and fall accident lawyer from Stewart Law Offices. Our reputable injury attorneys can determine whether you are eligible for compensation. Contact our firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation, and let us advocate for your family’s rights.