On a hot summer day, there’s nothing more refreshing than a dip in the pool to cool off. But you’re not the only one who thinks so, and you may not always be able to keep an eye on the pool or pond in your backyard. Did you know that drowning is the number one cause of injury-related death for children from ages 1-4?
It’s a sad, sad fact, and it shows why it is so important to teach children basic water safety from an early age. Those curious toddlers are notorious for wandering exactly where you don’t want them to go, so don’t let yourself be distracted if they are in or around a body of water.
Drowning Prevention
Gates, fencing, and pool covers can be installed to help prevent little ones from jumping in unsupervised and can provide a lot of peace of mind for you as a parent or neighbor. Take the time to teach the kids how to swim and get comfortable in the water, or enroll them in local swimming classes. Make sure your children know that they should not get into the water with an adult present.
As a parent, learning CPR could be one of the most important things you do. In the event of an emergency, you will be prepared to provide first aid.
Pool Owner Responsibility
As a pool owner, you are responsible for what occurs in your pool, so it’s important to provide a safe environment.
Here are a few tips to protect yourself and your guests in the pool this summer:
- Do not allow anyone to enter the pool without accompaniment.
- Do not leave your pool unattended when accessible. Utilize fencing, covers, and lockable gates to prevent unattended swimming and trespassing.
- Remove swimming toys from the pool when not in use to avoid tempting a young child to jump in after them.
- Don’t allow guests to enter the pool while intoxicated.
- Ensure that children are supervised at all times.
- Posting signs such as “swim at your own risk” cannot guarantee you protection in a lawsuit; even if someone is trespassing they may have the legal right to file a claim against you for damages from injuries received in your pool.
- Check to be sure that your homeowner’s insurance policy includes coverage to protect you against liability lawsuits from swimming pool injuries; you may want to add an additional liability policy. One million dollars is the minimum recommended pool accidents liability policy.
You can learn more about pool safety at Safe Kids and Consumer Affairs.
If you or someone you know has been injured in a swimming pool, contact the lawyers at Schuerman Law to discuss what kind of coverage is available to you and your family. You can schedule your free consultation today at 800-274-0045.
