With the winter months officially behind us, many pool owners will soon be engaging in their yearly tradition of preparing their pools for the upcoming summer. Swimming and relaxing at residential pools can be a great way for families and friends to spend a hot summer day and cool off in Atlanta. In addition, swimming is undoubtedly a great form of exercise that can help people stay fit and has the added benefit of being a low-impact activity. As with any water-based activity, however, swimming also involves an inherent risk of injury.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 4,174 people treated for non-fatal unintentional drowning injuries during 2001 and 2002. In addition pool injuries can also involve non-submersion based injuries, including slip and falls, lacerations, chemical-based injuries, or injuries caused by pool-related consumer products. Fortunately, in many cases victims are able to recover for their injuries by filing a personal injury claim against the at-fault party or parties. As a result, anyone who is injured in a pool-related accident should discuss their options with an Atlanta personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. To schedule a free consultation with one of our lawyers, call Goldstein Hayes & Lina today at (888) 425-6070.
Of course, it is always preferable to avoid an injury in the first place. Below, we have detailed 5 ways that pool owners can reduce the risk of an injury occurring at their pool.
Install adequate fencing around your residential pool – One of the simplest things that pool owner can do to reduce the risk of accidental injury is to install a fence around the pool in order to limit access to the pool. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends installing a fence that is at least four feet high and has slats less than four inches apart. These specifications are designed to keep children from accessing your pool without adult supervision.
Install pool gate alarms – A fence alone will not deter children if there is a gate that is easily accessible. By installing a pool gate alarm that alerts people both inside and outside the home when the gate is opened, homeowners can reduce the risk that a child will access the pool without their knowledge.
Always supervise children – When there are children using the pool, there should always be a responsible adult providing adequate supervision. In addition, it is a good idea to always have a telephone nearby so that the supervising adult can immediately call for help if an emergency arises.
Learn how to perform CPR – It is important for pool owners to learn how to perform CPR on both adults and children and to update those skills when necessary. CPR can keep a relatively minor accident from turning into a serious tragedy.
Share safety instructions with friends, neighbors, and guests – By letting others who use your pool know about the safety measures you have put in place, you can ensure that you are minimizing everyone’s risk of being involved in pool-related accident.
Contact an Atlanta personal injury lawyer to schedule a free consultation
Individuals and families suffering from tragic swimming pool accidents often do not know where to turn to for assistance. The Atlanta law firm Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC is here to help. Our attorneys have extensive experience with drowning and near drowning cases. To schedule a free consultation with one of our lawyers, call our office today at (888) 425-6070.