Taking a dip in a pool is one of the best ways to cool off in the summer heat. If you have a friend or family member with a pool, frequent a public pool, or have your own pool at home, you know how nice it is to relax in the water when the temperatures rise. Swimming is fun and relaxing, but it can be dangerous if safety precautions are not followed.
Causes of Swimming Pool Accidents
The most significant risk of using a swimming pool is the risk of drowning, but drowning is not the only type of swimming pool accident that can happen: Slip and fall accidents, chemical ingestion, and electrocution can occur at a pool too.
Injuries and fatalities that occur in a swimming pool are frequently the result of:
- An absence of supervision
- No gate around the pool
- Slippery pool decks
- No ladders
- Open cleaning chemicals in the area
- Electrical equipment falling in the pool
Tips for Keeping Yourself and Others Safe While Swimming
At a public pool, a lifeguard is usually on duty, or there are enough people in the pool that swimming alone is a rare occurrence. However, private pools carry a greater risk of accidents happening because of a lack of supervision. You should never swim alone, and keep an eye on your fellow swimmers (especially young children, elderly people, and others who are more at risk for injury). Simply looking out for each other can help ensure a fun and safe swimming experience.
How to Keep Your At-Home Pool Safe This Summer
As the owner of a pool, it is your responsibility to do whatever you can to keep swimmers safe.
You can make your pool safer for guests by:
- Installing ladders and gates
- Keeping your deck dry and free of toys, furniture, and other objects that people can trip over
- Safely storing cleaning chemicals
- Keeping electrical items at a safe distance from the pool
- Never letting anyone swim alone or when it is dark
Swimming pool owners — public or private — who fail to maintain a safe environment for swimmers could be liable for injuries that occur because of their negligence. If you were injured in a swimming pool accident, you may be entitle to compensation. Contact Alex & Associates, P.C. to discover your options.
To schedule a free initial case evaluation with our attorneys, send us a message or call (602) 483-6114.