Swimming Pool Safety
COVID-19 has dramatically shifted how Nevadans spend their summer months. Nevadans face additional challenges battling the heat as many neighborhoods and public pools closed due to COVID-19 safety concerns. According to the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance, there are more than 10.4 million residential swimming pools in the United States. As people continue to stay home in the summer heat, adults need to be vigilant around swimming pools and spas. Among children ages 1 to 4 years old, drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death. How can you and your family stay safe while staying home? Here we will go over swimming pool safety.
We hope these swimming pool safety tips help you stay safe. If a swimming pool accident injures you or a loved one, seek medical help immediately. Once you have sought medical care, seek legal help from a personal injury lawyer. The law firm of Anthem Injury Lawyers has a dedicated team of lawyers and staff ready to help you with your personal injury case. Contact us today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation. Please know that our Las Vegas personal injury lawyers can come to you, if necessary, to conduct your free initial consultation.
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Drowning Statistics
Earlier this year, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) released its Pool or Spa Submersion: Estimated Nonfatal Drowning Injuries and Reported Drownings, 2020 Report. The CPSC reported the following for children younger than 15 years of age:
- There were, on average, an estimated 6,700 pool (or spa-related) hospital emergency department (ED)-treated, nonfatal drowning injuries each year for 2017 through 2019.
- 379 pool (or spa-related) fatal drownings reported per year for 2015 through 2017.
The CPSC reported that children younger than five years of age were involved in:
- An annual average of 76 percent of the ED-treated nonfatal drowning injuries from 2017 through 2019.
- 75 percent of the reported fatal drownings from 2015 through 2017.
Residential locations made up 71 percent of the reported fatal drowning incidents.
Submersion Incidents of Clark County Children
In Clark County, the Southern Nevada Health District Drowning Registry tracks the number of 0-14 year old children who experience a submersion incident. Submersion can mean both fatal and nonfatal drownings.
From 2016 to 2019, 204 submersion incidents were reported to the Southern Nevada Health District Drowning Registry. According to the Southern Nevada Health District Drowning Registry:
- About 80 percent of those were 0-4 year olds.
- 167 of those submersion incidents occurred in pools.
- Nearly 61 percent of those occurred in residential pools.
- 34 fatal drownings were reported among 0-14 year olds.
- Among 0-4 year olds, 24 fatal drownings were reported.
A drowning incident can devastate a family. If you or a loved one are injured in a drowning accident, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer. The team at Anthem Injury Lawyers is experienced in personal injury claims. You don’t have to worry if you can afford a good personal injury lawyer in the Las Vegas area. Based in Henderson, Nevada, we work on a contingency fee basis with clients throughout the region. Contact us today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
COVID-19 and Swimming Pools
Swimming pools can provide a safe and fun place for Nevadans to enjoy the summer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- There is no evidence that COVID-19 can spread to people through the water used in pools, hot tubs, or water playgrounds.
- Proper operation and disinfection of pools, hot tubs, and water playgrounds should kill the virus that causes COVID-19.
The CDC recommends individuals still maintain 6 feet of distance in and out of water. Household members do not require social distancing. Individuals should still wipe down and disinfect all surfaces and items used in or around water. This includes handrails, chairs, and pool toys.
What About Face Coverings?
The CDC does not recommend wearing a face mask in the water. A mask can get wet and cause breathing difficulties. Continue to wear a cloth face cover outside the water.
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Swimming Pool Safety
Different people enjoy swimming pools in different ways. Adults and children face unique challenges around water. As the number of swimming pools increases, everyone can take steps to be safer in and around swimming pools.
Safety for Adults
Adults should remember the following safety tips around swimming pools:
- Never swim alone. Accidents can happen to adults and children. Having a swimming buddy can save lives.
- Swim sober. Avoid alcohol and drugs while swimming.
- Do not enter head first unless there is a safe diving area.
- Only swim to your ability. If you are tired or need a break, get out of the water.
- Make sure all swimmers can safely get in and out of the pool.
- Watch out for hazards in and around the pool. Keep the pool and surrounding area safely maintained.
- Keep electronic devices and cords away from the pool area.
- Do not crowd the pool. Overcrowding can cause dangerous swimming conditions.
We hope our pool safety tips for adults prove helpful. Next we offer tips that can help keep kids safe around the water. It’s extremely important to watch children around swimming pools. Should you or a loved one be involved in a pool-related accident, contact Anthem Injury Lawyers. Our Las Vegas attorneys offer extensive personal injury experience and provide a free consultation. Call our offices to schedule yours: (702) 857-6000.
Safety for Children
The CPSC provides the following pool safety tips for children:
- Never leave a child unattended in or near water. Always designate an adult Water Watcher. This person should not be reading, texting, using a smartphone, or be otherwise distracted. In addition to pools and spas, this warning includes bathtubs, buckets, decorative ponds, and fountains.
- Teach children how to swim. Swimming lessons can help reduce the likelihood of a water accident and increase water safety.
- Children should stay away from drains and suction outlets. Never allow a child to enter a pool that has a loose, broken, or missing drain cover.
- Ensure pools and spas have drain covers that comply with federal safety standards. Powerful suction from a pool or spa drain can even trap an adult.
- Install proper barriers, covers, and alarms on and around the pool and spa.
- Know how to perform CPR on children and adults. CPR is “an emergency lifesaving procedure performed when the heart stops beating.” Bystanders may be the only aid available to a drowning victim. Learning CPR can help save lives.
- If you own a pool or spa, install layers of protection, including a four-sided fence with a self-closing, self-latching gate.
- Always remove portable pool ladders when not in use.
Safety for Seniors
As Nevadans age, swimming pools become a haven for relaxation and exercise. Water workouts are a great way to stay active. Older adults should remember the following safety tips around swimming pools:
- Swim with a buddy. It is important to never swim alone.
- Check with a physician before swimming. Swimming is a physical activity and a doctor should okay the activity before beginning. Also ask the doctor about any possible issues with medications and swimming.
- Check the pool entry and exit. It is important to be able to get into and out of the pool in a safe manner. Pools with ladders instead of steps may pose additional risks.
- Keep the pool area clean. Slips and falls can cause serious injuries. Make sure the pool area does not contain items around the walking area.
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Experienced Las Vegas Personal Injury Lawyers
Swimming pool safety is everyone’s priority. We hope these swimming pool safety tips help you stay safe. If you or a loved one are injured in an accident that is not your fault, contact a personal injury lawyer. Anthem Injury Lawyers is a team of experienced, dedicated personal injury lawyers and case managers. Based in Henderson, Nevada, we work with clients all over the Las Vegas area. Should you need us to, we can come to you.
With over 25 years of experience, Anthem Injury Lawyers specializes in personal injury claims, including swimming pool accident cases in the Las Vegas area. Contact us today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
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