Coral Springs Injury Lawyers Say That Pool Safety Is The Key To A Safe Summer In South Florida

 

Temperatures are on the rise as another Florida summer is in full swing. As we all look to beat the summer heat, our swimming pools will get crowded quickly. In just a one (1) week span last month, four (4) children nearly drowned in Palm Beach County alone. This was a sober reminder that swimming pools can be deadly traps for children.

Each day, approximately ten (10) people die from unintentional drowning. In fact, drowning is the sixth leading cause of unintentional death by injury for people of all ages and the second leading cause of child death in the United States, behind only motor vehicle accidents. Statistically, fifty (50) percent of children submerged in pools die.

Too often, drowning accidents are preventable. As parents, the Coral Springs injury lawyers and Parkland injury lawyers at our firm encourage our neighbors in the community to stay safe in and around pools, spas, lakes, canals and the beach by practicing as many safety steps as possible. Children under five (5) are most at risk and have the highest drowning rate of any age group. Complex litigation. In fact, Florida has the highest drowning death rate in the nation for children under five (5). Here are a few tips from our Weston accident attorneys to help prevent these types of accidents:

Never leave a child unattended. If a child wanders off and you lose site of him/her, check the pool first. Also, take all physical safety precautions possible. Install child proof fences around home swimming pools. The fence should be four (4) sided and keep the pool area completely separate from the house and the yard. The fence should be at least four (4) feet high. In addition, cover and lock hot tubs when they aren't in use and keep rescue equipment such as a life preserver and telephone near the pool. Also, install an alarm on doors and/or windows so you will be alerted if one is opened.

Finally, never drink alcohol while you are responsible for watching children near or in a pool. Alcohol can dull the senses and make it more likely you won't notice a dangerous situation. Alcohol can also increase the time it takes for you to react to a drowning situation.

Education is another key to reducing drowning accidents. Statistics show that participation in formal swimming classes reduces the risk of drowning in children under five (5) by as much as 88%. Taking a CPR class is also important. In a drowning situation, seconds count. CPR performed by bystanders before emergency personnel arrive has been shown to improve the outcome in many victims. The quicker the intervention occurs, the more likely for an improved outcome.