According to the CPSC, an average of 26 people drown in pools and spas each year on July 4. The CPSC recommends that parents and children alike go over water safety rules and inspect public and private pools before use.
Safety recommendations include: teaching children to swim, using life jackets, putting fences around pools, and designating an adult water watcher that knows how to swim to supervise children at all times. The water watcher should not be distracted by anything else, such as reading, texting, using a smart phone or conversing with other adults. Water watchers should be given breaks while other adults take over.
Other potential hazards that can cause injury include pool drains, pipes and other openings. Children should be instructed to stay away from these areas of the pool. Pool drains should be inspected and in compliance with federal standards. Pool service providers can inspect your pool drains.
If a child goes missing, the pool should be searched first.
Keep a phone close to the pool for emergency calls.
Have lifesaving equipment such as floats, life rings, and a reaching pole available and easily accessible.
Spas and pools should be equipped with lockable safety covers, fences and alarms.
If you or a loved one is injured in an accident, call Paul Thomson of The Thomson Law Firm for a free consultation (540) 777-4900.
