Everything You Need to Know About Pool Safety

With the arrival of summer and the relaxing of social distancing measures, it’s time to hit the pool. Swimming and relaxing in pools both public and private are popular summer pastimes in Florida, but these fun activities can pose dangers, if you aren’t careful. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that an average of 10 people die every day from accidental drowning alone.

Some other sobering facts about pool accidents include:

• Drowning is the number one cause of death for children under five years old
• It is the second leading cause of death for children under 15
• Over 80% of unintentional drownings occur in residential pools or spas
• A child can drown in the time it takes to answer a phone call
• Most children of preschool age who drown are with their parents at the time, and are out of their parents’ sight for five minutes or less

To ensure you get the most out of poolside fun this summer, our Panama City personal injury attorney put together everything you need to know about pool safety.

Pool Safety in Florida

Always exercise caution at public pools, even if a lifeguard is on duty. Hazards include slipping and falling, electrocution, and drowning. In fact, serious and deadly pool accidents can happen anywhere, from a hot tub to a kiddie pool. If you are watching children while at the pool, stay alert and avoid becoming intoxicated or otherwise distracted.

Some important pool safety tips include:

• Don’t let a child who can’t swim in or near the water without supervision
• Don’t run near the edge of a pool or anywhere nearby where the ground is wet
• Don’t swallow pool water
• Keep children away from drains
• Never leave children unattended

The sun can also pose dangers. Make sure you and your children are wearing sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher and, if you can, avoid being in the sun for long periods between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun is at its strongest. Infants six months of age or younger should always be kept out of direct sunlight.

Safety Tips for Pools at Home

If you have your own pool, then you will have to take safety matters into your own hands.

Some things you can do to ensure you and your children’s safety include:

• Surround your pool with a fence or wall so children can’t get in when you aren’t around
• Keep rescue equipment on hand, like a phone to call an ambulance and life preservers
• Take a CPR certification class so you can provide an emergency response before an ambulance arrives in case of drowning