Summer is fast approaching, which means higher temperatures and an increased use of private and public swimming pools, especially in Arizona. Our state is known for its hot and dry summers, and of the ten U.S. cities with the most backyard swimming pools, six cities are found in the Phoenix area. According to Realtor.com, the cities include Glendale, Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Tempe, and Scottsdale.
While most people think of swimming pools as a reprieve from the scorching temperatures, they can also be dangerous and lead to drowning injuries and death. It’s important to remind yourself of safety tips to practice around the pool, especially if you’re a parent, babysitter, or pool owner opening up your pool to children.
Pool owners can easily be held liable for premises liability cases if their unsafe environments or lack of rules lead to accidents.
Some safety tips owners can keep in mind include:
- Educating guests and visitors about pool depth and times of use: Understanding how deep a pool is can help parents understand where their children can swim, and knowing the appropriate times of use can prevent a child from wandering in unattended.
- Securing your pool with barriers to keep people out when the pool is closed and to prevent people from getting too close to the water unattended.
- Preventing any individual from swimming by themselves, regardless of age.
- Having someone present who is trained in life-saving techniques when guests are using the pool
In Arizona, there are many companies that can provide pool nets to cover your pool entirely. It’s recommended that you invest in a net to keep your pool covered during times when the pool is closed to prevent anyone from falling into the pool.
How Parents & Babysitters Can Help
The first rule for any adult monitoring their children is to never leave a child unattended while they’re in a swimming pool. Even one second of leaving a child on their own can lead to a drowning accident.
Some basic tips parents or babysitters can follow this summer include:
- Teaching children water safety, if not giving them swimming lessons
- Make sure equipment is safe, such as checking that spas have lockable safety covers
- Make sure there’s a designated person watching the children when you’re at a party – many adults assume there’s always someone watching their children when in reality, no one is
Seeking Justice for Families
Our legal team at Alex & Associates is available to pursue justice on behalf of your family when your child has passed away or been harmed as a result of a swimming pool accident. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one in five fatal drowning victims are children under 14 years of age. Our personal injury attorneys have years of experience and can secure the compensation you or your family needs to heal. If your loved one survives a swimming pool accident, chances are their injuries are catastrophic, resulting in the need for lifelong medical treatment that you can’t afford. Through our dedicated legal representation, we can hold negligent parties accountable and provide for this treatment and more.
Contact us online or by phone at (602) 483-6114 for a free consultation in Spanish or English if you or someone you loved has been injured in a swimming pool accident. Alex & Associates can fight for your right to compensation to cover the costs of medical treatment, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.