Six Pool Safety Tips Everyone Should Know

Nothing is more refreshing than a cool dip in a glistening blue pool on a hot day. Both grown-ups and kids alike enjoy splashing around in the pool to cool off and unwind. You can play a classic hide-and-go-seek swimming pool game. Or maybe just coasting along on a floaty sipping a cold drink is more your speed.

But a good day in the water can take a bad turn fast if you don’t mind your swimming Ps and Qs. Some safety rules are based on good old common sense, but there are some dangers in the water that you might not know about. Follow these six golden rules to keep everyone safe in the pool.

Don’t run at the pool

“No swimming an hour after eating” may be an old wives’ tale, but some of mom’s rules do still apply. Lifeguards are always yelling, “No running at the pool!” for a good reason. It’s their job to make sure pool time is fun and games while also safe. Running can cause injuries to yourself and others. Tripping over pool furniture is another risk.

Pool areas are mostly concrete, metal, and hard surfaces. The concrete or deck around a pool is almost always wet. Running on wet surfaces can lead to falls and injuries. If you have been injured falling at the pool in Las Vegas, NV, you need to contact a slip and fall attorney.

Know before you go

You should always assess the depth before you enter the water. Public pools will display the depth of each area of the pool. Private pools may not. If the depth is not posted, you should wade in first to calculate the water depth before jumping or diving in. Never dive unless the pool depth is at least nine feet. Do not enter headfirst if your view is obstructed and you can’t visually determine where the bottom is.

Diving boards are a particular danger because a diver can hit their head on the side of the pool or even on the floor of the pool if the depth is inadequate. Diving injuries can include damage to the spinal column, bone breaks and fractures, and sometimes even death. When in doubt, don’t jump or dive in.

Don’t get sucked in

Skimmers suck things in by design to help keep pools free of debris. But these filters may also pose a danger to humans who get too close. Swimmers should do their best to steer clear of drains and any other openings that cause suction. This rule is especially important for children since their bodies are smaller and lighter, but adults should take heed as well. Clothing and jewelry can also be sucked in and trapped.

Pool owners and management companies should install anti-entrapment covers on all drains or other openings to prevent suction entrapment. If a person is entrapped, they could die from drowning, suffering internal injuries, or having their bowels pulled out of their bodies by the suction.

Never swim alone

It may be tempting to take the plunge solo, but swimming alone means no one will be there in case you are injured or incapacitated. Kids should not swim unless they are accompanied by at least one adult. Adults themselves should only swim when accompanied by another adult.

Water watchers must stay alert and keep their cell phones handy in case they need to call for emergency assistance. Staying alert also means staying sober. A water watcher needs to be as responsive as possible, so they can’t be drowsy or at risk of dozing off. Supervise others when sober and with minimal distraction. If you’re supervising swimmers, it’s not the right time to get lost in a good summer read, tempting as it may be.

Swim safe, swim sober

Don’t do drugs or consume alcohol before going for a swim. Your reaction times are slowed if you are drunk or high. Your sight will be impaired, and you will be less alert. You may not be able to execute certain simple movements like pulling yourself up and out of the pool. Drugs and alcohol may make you feel invincible and make you more likely to take unnecessary risks. In reality, your senses are actually dampened.

Alcohol is also a diuretic, meaning it removes water from the body. Dehydration is a serious risk if you are drinking and swimming on a hot day. You may even suffer from heat exhaustion or heat stroke, which could result in vomiting, seizures, or unconsciousness.

Make sure everybody knows how to swim

Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages one to four, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It’s imperative that everyone who goes in the water knows how to swim. Make sure everyone in your family has basic swimming skills and can tread water for at least three minutes. Anyone who goes in the pool but does not know how to swim should wear a life vest or other flotation devices.

Who is responsible if someone is injured in a pool?

Every day in the U.S., there are 11 unintentional drownings. Taking the proper precautions can help ensure that you don’t become part of the statistics. But if you or your loved one sustains injuries at a pool, you may be able to  hold the owner of the property accountable through a premises liability lawsuit. Filing a claim like this allows you to seek damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Understand, however, that these types of claims only apply when the owner of the property is negligent in some way. A broken set of stairs, a missing “no diving” sign, a drain that entraps fingers or toes, broken concrete around the pool – any of these could show that the property was unsafe.

There is one other thing you should know about pool safety, and it has to do with children. The “attractive nuisance” doctrine puts the onus on the property owner to maintain a safe environment for children – even if they are trespassing. Places that are naturally attractive to children – such as a playground or pool – must be properly safeguarded under the attractive nuisance doctrine. If a child enters someone’s property and is injured, the property owner may be liable if they did not have adequate protection such as fencing and drain covers.

The Las Vegas premises liability attorneys at Claggett & Sykes Law Firm can help determine who was legally responsible for an accident. You may be eligible for compensation for your losses if the property owner is at fault. Our personal injury lawyers will evaluate your premises liability claim and put together the strongest case to get you what you need. If you need an attorney in Reno or Las Vegas, fill out our contact form today and let our professionals take care of your legal proceedings.