Keeping your child safe around swimming pools and other bodies of water is important, because it only takes a few seconds for water to be inhaled and drowning to begin. Adults should always be present when children are in a pool, and for those who are still toddlers, parents should be within arm’s reach.
When it comes to taking your child to another person’s home or to a community pool, the area should be clean and a responsible lifeguard should be on duty. Not maintaining a safe environment can lead to injuries and even the death of a child.
There are a few rules those operating pools should abide by. If the pool isn’t in use, for instance, then there should be a cover on it or a fence around it and it should be locked. There should not be any diving allowed in a pool that isn’t deep enough to do so safely. No running should be allowed near a pool. Riding toys, like tricycles or bicycles, should never be allowed near the edge of a pool, either.
Safe pool locations will have a pool fence that is high enough to prevent climbing. There should be no more than 4 inches between the slats, because this means there will not be footholds for a smaller child to use to climb over the fence. On top of that, latches should be high enough that children can’t reach them until they are tall enough, and old enough, to be around the pool safely.
Taking just a few precautions can keep people safe around pools. If your child has been hurt and one of these suggestions was violated, then it’s possible you could speak with your attorney about making a claim for your child’s injuries or wrongful death.
Source: HealthyChildren.org, “Swimming Pool Safety,” accessed Oct. 06, 2015
