Olympic skier Bode Miller lost his 19-month-old child in a friend’s swimming pool during a party. Drowning deaths like this one kill thousands each year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains that there are 3,536 fatal drowning accidents in the US each year. Twenty percent of these accidents involve children under 14 years old.
Drowning accidents can also cause brain damage that may lead to memory loss, impaired mobility and learning disabilities. Governor Jerry Brown of California released a letter to the public urging that Californians become extra vigilant on swimming safety.
5 Pool Safety Tips for Parents
Here are some safety tips that will help you to have a safe summer:
- Supervise your children when they are near water. Keep a watchful eye as they play. If you have toddlers, you should be close enough to touch your child while they are playing.
- Provide children with swimming lessons. Have a formal swimming instructor help your children better understand swimming safety.
- Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The American Red Cross provides CPR training across the country. The classes prepare you to become CPR certified in your state. You can use their website to locate a class near you.
- Purchase a certified life vest for your child. It’s also important to make sure the life vest is the proper fit for your child.
- The CDC recommends pool fences or other devices that prevent children from getting into the pool unexpectedly. The best kind of fence is one that is four-sided and has a height of 4 feet. Use self-locking doors or latches that are out of reach for children.
More Questions About Swimming Pool Accidents?
If you or a loved one have been injured in a swimming pool accident, then you should contact an attorney. The San Jose premises liability attorneys at Needham Kepner & Fish, LLP can help you determine whether it would be possible to seek compensation.