(Sources: https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2019/Kick-Off-a-Safer-Summer-for-Your-Family; https://www.poolsafely.gov/parents/safety-tips/; https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/water-safety/home-pool-safety.html).
The heat is on with the dog days of the summer bearing down on us right now. The community pool or the backyard pool are the places to be. Swimming pools provide hours of fun for children and adults alike. However, as we all know, when proper precautions are not taken around water, there is the risk of danger, especially for young children. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), drowning remains the leading cause of unintentional death among children ages 1-4 and the second leading cause among children ages 5-14. According to the American Red Cross (Red Cross), 69% of young children who drown are not expected to be in or near water.
The lawyers at Liever, Hyman & Potter, P.C., urge parents and child caregivers to keep safety in mind around pools and any other source of water where children play or may have access to. The CPSC, the Red Cross and Pool Safely (a national public safety campaign that works with partners around the country to reduce child drownings and entrapments in swimming pools and spas) all offer pool and hot tub safety tips. As a public service, we would like to share some of the top things to know about pool and spa/hot tub safety.
Here are some simple safety tips that may help to prevent a drowning:
-Never leave a child unattended in or near a pool or in or near water.
-Make sure you know how to swim and teach your children to swim.
-First, check the water/pool whenever a child is missing.
-Instruct children to stay away from drains and make sure that all drains have anti-entrapment drain covers and a safety release system to protect against drain entrapment.
-Learn how to perform CPR on both children and adults.
-Make sure that children do not have access to pools when adults are not around. Prevent unauthorized swimming by installing proper barriers, covers, and alarms.
-Do not permit horseplay. Establish and enforce rules for safe behavior.
The lawyers at Liever, Hyman & Potter, P.C., are concerned for the safety of our friends, neighbors and children swimming and playing in pools in Berks County and Schuylkill County, and throughout Pennsylvania. The injury lawyers near Philadelphia serve auto, truck and motorcycle accident and their families in claims and cases involving serious injury and death caused by the negligence of others. The firm also handles work comp, premises liability, and medical malpractice cases.
From the desk of Adam K. Levin, Esquire.