Just last week we wrote about the drowning risks presented by swimming pools. Our goal of that article was to raise awareness of steps that can be taken to protect children from accidently drowning in private or public swimming pools. Since then, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced that July 22-29 is Pool Safely Days.
The CPSC reports that nationwide there have been 90 child-drowning deaths since Memorial Day. In addition, 106 children required emergency response for near-drowning incidents. These accidents, the CPSC notes, “provide a sobering reminder of how a fun day at the pool can quickly turn tragic.”
During the campaign, CSPC is encouraging water parks, municipal swimming pools and other indoor and outdoor aquatic, as well as families, to support Pool Safely Day and practice safe behaviors around pools. Activities offered by facilities include free swimming lessons, CPR training as well as distributing Pool Safely information materials to parents and caregivers.
CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum hopes all children that are around pools have the opportunity to learn how to swim. “Making sure their children learn how to swim is one of the most important steps parents can take,” said Tenenbaum.
The Pool Safely campaign provides information on the simple steps that parents, pool owners and caregivers can follow to ensure the safety of children and adults around pools and spas:
- Learn and practice water safety skills. This means every family member should know how to swim and learn how to perform CPR on children and adults.
- Be alert, stay close, and watch children in and around the pool. This means always watch children closely around all bodies of water and never leave them unattended in a spa or pool; teach children basic water safety tips; and keep young children away from the pool pipes, drains, and other openings.
- Have appropriate equipment for your pool or spa. This includes installing adequate fencing, a lockable safety cover, and proper drain covers to avoid entrapments. There should also be lifesaving equipment such as a reaching pole and life rings.
For more information about Pool Safely see the CPSC’s website.
Our Treasure Coast swimming pool accident attorneys know that in the hot Florida summer nothing is more refreshing than taking a dip in a pool. However, we have seen the devastation a drowning accident can have on a family, and we urge everyone to do their part to stay safe and to keep others safe around swimming pools.
Contact A Premises Liability Lawyer Today
If you or a family member has been injured in a swimming pool accident, it’s important to consult a knowledgeable South Florida premises liability lawyer. I am attorney Philip DeBerard. I have more than three decades of legal experience helping victims of serious accidents including swimming pool accidents and wrongful deaths in South Florida and the Treasure Coast.
The law firm of Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney, concentrates on helping accident victims in Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, Jupiter, Stuart, Okeechobee, Vero Beach and Palm Beach. Call 1-800-299-8878 or fill out our online contact form.
