Swimming is favorite summertime pastime for many kids and adults.
Unfortunately, swimming can also be a dangerous activity. According to the CDC, about 10 people die every day due to drowning. One in five of those deaths involve a child under the age of 14.
On May 28, a 4-year-old boy died in Harris County after being found at the bottom of a swimming pool. On June 2, an 8-year-old boy died after suffering a head injury in a residential swimming pool in Fort Worth. In another recent case, a 3-year-old boy drowned in a background swimming pool in Gholson.
Pool owners, apartment complexes, resorts, and public pools have a responsibility to keep their pools and pool areas safe. Here are some common mistakes pool owners make that could put their guests at risk:
- Failure to properly life guard: Drowning can happen anytime – so constant life guard supervision is essential. When life guards are in place, properly trained life guards must do their jobs at all times.
- Failure to install gates and fencing: For residential and apartment swimming pools, it is important that the pool area is gated and locked when not in use. Children may be drawn to the water and accidentally fall in when gates and fences are not properly installed and maintained.
- Failure to install anti-entrapment devices: Some tragic pool accident are caused when a swimmer’s hands, feet or hair get caught in the pool’s drainage system. Drain covers and anti-entrapment devices should be installed in all pools to prevent these tragic accidents.
Many pool injuries and drownings are preventable. Pool owners should take these simple and commonsense precautions to help keep their guests safe.
Free consultation: Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner offers a free consultation to victims of pool and other accidents. Call 713-742-6001.