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Child Swimming Pool Accidents
From water parks to your own backyard, swimming pools have become a necessity for families across the United States. While swimming and other water-related activities are excellent ways to cool off and enjoy your summer, they also come with life-threatening risks with which all parents should be aware.
Statistics
There are many injuries that could occur when swimming pools or water related activities are involved. In fact, in 2007, there were 3,443 fatal unintentional drownings in the United States, averaging ten deaths per day. An additional 496 people died, from drowning and other causes, in boating-related incidents. Sadly, more than one in five fatal drowning victims are children 14 and younger and for every child who dies from drowning, another four receive emergency department care for nonfatal submersion injuries.
Nonfatal submersion injuries can cause brain damage that may result in long-term disabilities including memory problems, learning disabilities, and permanent loss of basic functioning.
Common Causes of Pool Accidents
- Failure to maintain water clarity
- Inattentive and untrained Life Guards
- Failure to maintain self latching and closing gates that keep young children from entering pool area
- Failure to maintain pool logs as required by state laws
- Vacuum drains that do not have proper covers can cause serious or fatal results
- Lack of safety equipment on hand such as shepard hooks and ring buoys with throw ropes
- Lack of flotation safety lines separating deep and shallow areas of pool
- Unclear depth markers that prevent swimmers from knowing what the depth of the pool is
- Lack of certified and properly trained pool staff responsible for pool upkeep
- Defective pool equipment such as filters and pool pumps that affect water clarity
- Lack of pool ladders that allow easy exit from pools
- Emergency phone near pool not working or non-existent
- Overcrowded pools with too many people in the pool at one time
- Inadequate light for pool area
- Defective pool lights
For more information on swimming pool accidents and water related injuries, go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Healthy Swimming/ Recreational Water Safety website.
Contact Us
Thomas J. Henry Injury Attorneys are experienced in swimming pool and water-related accidents. Your choice does matter. If you or a loved one have suffered because of a swimming pool or water-related injury, contact our offices immediately. We are available 24/7, nights and weekends.
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