Because June is National Safety Month and the weather is starting to warm up, we want to take the time to give you a few tips that will help keep you and your family safe the next time you go swimming. Although it can be fun to play Marco / Polo and do cannon balls with your family in the swimming pool, the National Safety Council reminds swimmers that pools can be dangerous if you don’t take certain safety precautions.
Unfortunately, more than 3,700 people drowned in the U.S. in 2016. During the summer months, drowning deaths increase among people of all ages, though drowning deaths are more prevalent among babies and toddlers. In 2016, drowning was the leading cause of preventable death, with 463 children between 1 to 4 years old dying in drowning accidents.
This is why it is crucial to keep up to date with all of the latest guidelines for safe swimming. Below, we give you a few tips that can help you create a safe swimming environment for you and your family.
Pool Safety Tips
The following tips can keep you and your children safe the next time you go swimming:
- Have your children take swimming lessons
- Never swim alone, always use the “buddy system”
- Parents should always keep a close eye on young swimmers
- Keep a first-aid-kit nearby in case an injury occurs
- Store a telephone and safety gear close to the pool in case of an emergency
- When swimming with small children, always keep them within arm’s length
- Never leave a child unattended near a pool
- Fence off the area around your pool with at least a 5-ft. fence
- Use self-closing or self-latching gates that small children can’t reach
- Do not swim in pools that have flat, broken, or missing drain covers
- Take a CPR or other type of rescue training course
- Teach your kids about the dangers of swallowing pool water
- Always wash your body after using a swimming pool
- Check that all of the chemical levels, circulation, and filtration systems are properly maintained
- Have a designated person watch young children in the pool at large gatherings
It is important for parents to remember that drowning is a silent death. Although death is often portrayed as a violent, splashing struggle, drowning victims tend to go unnoticed unless someone is nearby to see them. Teaching your children early in their life about the dangers of swimming can prevent swim-related injuries and accidents. Having a set of established rules and guidelines for acceptable pool behavior can also deter your family from engaging in activities that might increase their risk of drowning.
Have you lost a loved one in a drowning accident? Our Bowling Green personal injury lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve for your loss. Call (270) 783-8311 to schedule your free case evaluation today.