Swimming pool safety tips for summer
Summer is here! After what seemed like an endless amount of time with cloudy skies, the sun has come out in Southern California, and warm weather is here to stay. Time to hit the pool, right?!
There are over 10 million swimming pools in the United States. California itself has over one million swimming pools. With all of these pools comes a sad statistic—over 12,000 drowning deaths each year.
Here are just a few swimming pool safety tips for summer to help prevent a serious injury or worse, God forbid.
No running at the pool. Remember as kids when the life guard would blow his whistle if you ran in the pool area? There’s a reason for it. Slippery concrete can be bad news for bare feet. Slip and fall injuries are no joke—we recently settled a slip and fall case with a devastating ankle fracture. Play it safe and don’t run at the pool.
Make sure the pool has a lifeguard. Many homeowners lease out their backyard swimming pools to summer camps. It is absolutely imperative that there be a licensed lifeguard on duty when this occurs. Speak to your homeowners insurance too, as there may be coverage issues if the carrier is not notified about this arrangement.
Make sure everyone knows how to swim. If a child does not know how to swim, that child should not be in the pool. Floaties that fit over a small child’s arm can easily slip off—use a lifejacket instead. Children should also be taught how to float on their backs.
Be vigilant. Drownings can occur in as little as seconds. They often occur right under the nose of adults or older children supervising who may be distracted. Be aware of the signs of distress—a child in a dangerous situation may not be flailing or splashing, or even making any noise at all. Maintain proper vigilance of the children (and adults) who are using the pool.
On a related note, the California Department of Public Health has a website devoted exclusively to swimming pool safety. The page, which you can access here, has helpful links for swimming pool owners, along with relevant statutes and regulations for California swimming pools.
I wish everyone an enjoyable, fun, and exciting summer. And remember, if you or someone you know was injured in a swimming pool or other injury, the Rabbi Lawyer is ready to assist, 24/6.
