Accident Lawyer in New York Emphasizes Pool Safety, Especially for Children

Swimming pools provide many opportunities for fun and healthy activity. They can also pose a risk to people, particularly children. If you’ve been using a pool this summer, whether on private land or in a public facility, you need to be mindful of the risks to yourself and to your loved ones.

A 2012 report from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) shares data on how drowning is a leading cause of death for children between the ages of one and four, with African American and Hispanic children especially vulnerable. Along with fatal drowning, it’s also possible to sustain permanent, life-altering injuries from submersion, particularly damage to the brain due to oxygen deprivation.

Sometimes, people also experience “dry drowning,” where they initially seem fine after emerging from underwater, but then begin to succumb to pulmonary edema from the water still in them; it’s critical to keep an eye out for the symptoms, including chest pain, difficulty breathing and severe tiredness, and go get medical assistance ASAP.

In addition to submersion injuries, there are other ways to get hurt in swimming pools. Swimming pools that aren’t well-maintained or up to code pose a variety of hazards, from vents that trap people underwater to an unhealthy balance of chemicals. People may also get injured when they slip or get shoved in the pool area.

You should keep a close eye on children, especially if they don’t know how to swim (the same goes for adults with poor or non-existent swimming skills or with medical conditions such as seizure disorders that increase the chances of drowning); drowning can occur quickly and silently, with sudden submersion occurring in a matter of seconds. Have them wear well-fitted, USCG-approved life vests for extra protection.

Also, try to make sure that the swimming pools you use are in good condition, not dirty, overcrowded, or poorly maintained. And if you have a private pool, surround it on all four sides with a sturdy fence that kids won’t be able to get through unsupervised.

Don’t hesitate to contact an experienced accident & injury lawyer in New York in the event that an accident has occurred, particularly if your insurance companies are giving you trouble or you suspect that someone might have been responsible for the accident. But hopefully, being more aware of the dangers and taking preventative measures against them will help you and your children avoid serious injuries at the pool.