Water Safety Tips To Implement This Summer

Its year-round sunny weather is one of the things about Florida that attracts so many people to the “sunshine state.” This means that residents and tourists alike can engage in activities all year that many can only enjoy during the summer months. Swimming, particularly among children, has proven especially popular. Although swimming can be dangerous, adhering to a few water safety tips can help ensure that people can engage in these activities safely and with a lower risk of injury or death. Unfortunately, even those who use the greatest care could end up with a child who is the victim of a swimming accident. In these cases, filing a premises liability claim may be the best way to not only obtain compensation for medical bills, but also to prevent similar accidents in the future.

Swimming Pool Accident Risks 

One of the biggest risks faced by children who swim is drowning. In fact, this is a much more serious problem than most people realize, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimating that drowning is the fifth leading cause of unintentional injury or death in the U.S. Children are particularly susceptible to injury, with as many as one in five people who die from drowning falling under the age of 14 years old. Furthermore, for every one of these children, five more will need to obtain emergency department care for nonfatal submersion injuries. Of those children treated in Emergency Rooms, more than half require hospitalization or transfer.

Drowning is by no means the only type of risk that children face while swimming. Slip and falls, resulting in broken bones, TBIs, and lacerations, for instance, are also common, while others become ill from coming into contact with unsanitary water, suffering from viruses and bacterial infections.

The Importance of Supervision

One of the most important things that a caregiver can do to protect his or her child from sustaining a serious injury while swimming is to keep an eye on that child at all times. Frequenting pools with lifeguards and other parents who can alternate supervising duties can ensure that even a momentary lapse in focus doesn’t result in an injury. Other water safety tips that can help prevent injury include:

• Securing pools with a fence that is at least four feet high;
• Ensuring that a child avoids drains and suction fittings;
• Signing a child up for swim lessons;
• Applying sunscreen regularly and ensuring that the child is hydrated;
• Learn CPR;
• Ensuring that a child avoids diving in shallow areas; and
• Teaching children to refrain from engaging in overly rough horseplay.

Unfortunately, even those who implement these water safety tips could end up with a child who sustained a swimming-related injury, in which case, they may want to consider filing a personal injury claim against the at-fault party.

Dedicated Premises Liability Lawyers

At Boone & Davis, our Fort Lauderdale premises liability attorneys dedicate ourselves to advocating for our clients’ best interests and fighting for the compensation they deserve. Find out what our legal team can do for you and contact us right away by calling 954-566-9919 today.