The heat is sizzling. The grill is searing. School is out. Summer is the season to let loose and enjoy the outdoors.
It is also the season that comes with risks due to swimming, especially for children.
Data from the CDC concludes that drowning is the number one cause of unintentional death for children between the ages of one to four.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has found that 390 deaths a year on average can be attributed to drowning in swimming pools or hot tubs.
Swimming, a fun way to refresh and cool off, does come with some risks that are important to be aware of. Protect yourself and your family by knowing how to stay safe this season.
Here are our suggestions for swimming safely this year.
- Always have someone to supervise. Don’t swim alone, and don’t let others swim alone. Ask a responsible adult to watch your child if you are unable to, and make sure they know to not be distracted by cell phones or reading.
- Know how to swim. Take swimming lessons or provide lessons for your child. Stay in the shallow end of the pool if you are not adept at swimming.
- No diving. If the water is too shallow (less than 8 feet), diving is too dangerous and could result in a head injury.
- Build a gate. Secure your pool or hot tub by putting up a fence to disincentivize wandering children or teenagers from being tempted to take a dip.
- Floatation devices. If your child is still learning how to swim, put them in a life vest or flotation device. Have extra floatation devices such as boogie boards or pool noodles nearby just in case.
- Put on a locking cover. If you have a young child or have a neighbor with young children we advise you to put a locking cover over your pool or hot tub so that no one can get hurt while you are away.
- Know the signs of drowning. Many people think it looks like splashing around a lot and sounds like screaming. Most of the time, though, drowning is silent.
- Move ladder away from pool. If you have an above ground pool, move the ladder away from the pool when not in use.
- Avoid pool drains. Pool drains use a sucking mechanism to filter the water and put people, especially small people and children, at the risk of being caught. Remind your children where they are located in the pool and teach them to stay away.
- Electrical accidents. Teach your children not to bring electronics near or in the water.
Swimming Accident Attorney in Louisville, KY
Before you take a dip into your pool, make sure you are aware of the risks and take measures to protect yourself from the dangers of drowning. Kevin Crooks, PLLC has experience dealing with all kinds of accidents ranging from car accidents to public transportation accidents and can assist you should you be involved in a swimming accident that results in injury or death.
