Across the nation, millions of children are looking for relief from the intense heat. Naturally, swimming pools are very popular - intended for enjoyment, recreation, and relaxation. According to ABC Safety, however, drowning is the number one killer of children under the age of five. Each year, hundreds of children are killed and thousands more are injured in pool-related accidents. Safe Kids USA, a child safety advocacy group, reports that nearly 300 children under the age of five drown in swimming pools every year. The same group reports that another 2,700 submersion injuries also occur annually. There are a few things we as parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, or other caregivers can do to reduce the chance of such a tragic accident.
1. Adult Supervision
We, as parents, know that a child can get in trouble or hurt within a matter of seconds. Knowing that, we are sure to keep a vigilant eye on them as they play. As you can imagine, this becomes even more important when children are in and around swimming pools. It is not uncommon to be interrupted by a ringing phone, or distracted by another child or your pet, while enjoying an afternoon at the pool with your children. Just turning your attention from the pool for a brief moment is enough time for a child to drown.
2. Every Pool Needs A Proper Barrier
We just can’t be too cautious when there is even the smallest chance that a child may be near a pool. What some may not know is that there are many different types of safety equipment that can be used or installed to decrease the chance of a pool-related injury. One popular and effective option is to place a barrier around the entire pool. The best barriers are very sturdy, at least four feet tall, and completely encircle the body of water. Other steps can be taken to further secure the pool area including placing locks on gates and doors that lead to the area, installing alarms that will sound if the area is entered, and placing a heavy duty cover over the pool made specifically to keep objects that may fall in the pool area out of the water. The best covers will withstand the weight of two adults and one child.
3. Use Properly Secured Drain Covers
Though they are probably the last thing we tend to worry about when our children are in the pool, statistics show that drains pose a large threat for drowning and are a leading cause of submersion accidents. Properly installed and secured drain covers paired with a safety vacuum release system can prevent a serious injury or even death in a situation where a child becomes trapped by the drain suction. My hope is that just by taking these simple precautions, we can all have safe, relaxed and enjoyable summer by the pool.
If the unthinkable does happen and a child is injured in or around a pool, hiring the right lawyer can be one of the most important decisions a person makes. But before you hire a lawyer, speak to an insurance adjuster or sign any papers, you owe it to yourself to read The Truth About Lawyers: An Insider's Guide to Hiring the Best Personal Injury Lawyer for Your Case. This helpful guide was written by Houston personal injury attorney John Neese, and contains the vital information a person needs to find and hire the best injury lawyer for their case. Plus, this guide contains The 5 Trick Questions You Should Ask Any Houston Personal Injury Attorney Before Hiring Them. Visit www.johnneeselaw.com or www.thetruthaboutlawyers.com to order your free copy of The Truth About Lawyers.
Author Resource:-
Brigette Botkin. Houston Personal Injury Attorneys - The Neese Law Firm, P.C. represents plaintiffs in all types of personal injury and business litigation lawsuits in Houston, Texas and nationwide. The Neese Law Firm, P.C. was founded by attorney D. John Neese, Jr.
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