Swimming is a popular summer pastime that is enjoyed by millions of people each year. Although swimming is a great way to cool off during warm weather, there are ways you or loved ones could suffer harm while using a pool. Each year, there are reports of swimmers dying or suffering injuries. In a recent case that was widely reported on by national news outlets, a pool’s intake pump almost drowned a South Carolina boy.
Fortunately, there are ways you can improve swimming pool safety this summer. Safe Kids Worldwide and the American Red Cross have several suggestions for preventing accidents.
- Supervise your children. Provide close supervision for your children while they are around swimming pools, spas and other bodies of water. Drownings can occur within minutes. For toddlers, you or another adult should be within an arm’s reach to provide direct supervision. Children should be taught to never go near bodies of water without an adult present.
- Take swimming and CPR lessons. You could enroll yourself or other family members in swimming lessons to reduce the risk of drowning. In addition, you could take a CPR course to become certified to perform this life-saving procedure when it’s needed most.
- Ensure the pool drains are compliant. Pool drains can drown or eviscerate The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act was created to make swimming pool drains safer. You may be able to check whether the pool’s drains are compliant with this law.
- Install fencing and other barriers. Alarms, fencing and gates can prevent unauthorized access of swimming pools. California has requirements for private swimming pool barriers.
- Ensure the pool receives regular maintenance. Swimming pool equipment that is not regularly maintained can be hazardous to swimmers. For example, improperly maintained swimming pool lights could create an electrocution risk. Improperly maintained pools may also contain deadly pathogens that may lead to infections.
Who Is Liable for a Swimming Pool Accident?
Liability for swimming pool injuries or deaths depends on the circumstances. For example, property owners or pool maintenance companies could be responsible for swimming pool accidents. In cases where other parties are liable, it may be possible to recover compensation for swimming pool injuries or death. You should speak with an attorney if you or a loved one suffered harm while using a private or public swimming pool.
The San Jose premises liability attorneys at Needham Kepner & Fish, LLP can help you determine whether it would be possible to seek compensation.