Swimming Pool Safety Critical as Summer Approaches

Accidental drownings are a major concern in New York and across the nation, especially during the summer months. Most of these types of drownings tend to involve young children and happen very quickly and quietly. Not only can swimming pool accidents result in fatalities, but also victims may become impaired for the rest of their lives with catastrophic injuries such as brain damage. It is crucial to know and fully understand what you can do to keep your young swimmers safe this summer.
Tragic Drowning Incidents
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning accidents are responsible for more deaths among children ages 1 to 4 than any other cause except birth defects. A majority of child drownings occur in swimming pools. Drowning may also occur at a spa or even a bucket or bathtub.
Approximately one in five people who die as the result of drowning are children 14 years of age or younger. For every child that drowns, another five need medical care. The CDC also cautions that near-drowning incidents can cause severe brain damage leading to long-term disabilities such as memory issues, learning disabilities or permanent loss of basic functions, which could leave the victim in a vegetative state.
Preventing Swimming Pool Accidents
There are several ways in which these tragic swimming pool accidents can be prevented. Here are some of the steps parents, caregivers and party hosts can take to prevent a child drowning.
• Always supervise the pool when children are swimming or playing. Do not read a book, talk on the phone, carry a conversation with someone else present or take care of other business when you are watching children. If you are hosting a party, hire a lifeguard or select a responsible adult to watch the children.
• Make sure that the swimming pool has working gates that are self-closing and self-latching.
• Perimeter fencing can provide an excellent layer of protection.
• Remove items that children may use to climb the fence such as storage bins, patio furniture or other items.
• Make sure your child learns to swim, but still supervise him or her. Children who are confident swimmers can get into trouble as well.
Compensation for Victims
If you or a loved one has been injured in a swimming pool accident, the experienced personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options. Please call our offices 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). We can also help with personal injury cases in New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com
Source: CDC