Summer Swim Safety for Children

Drowning is the second leading cause of serious injury or death for U.S. children. Nine people drown every day in the US, and 75% of the drowning occurs between May and September. Many steps can be taken to prevent your child from drowning or sustaining a serious injury. However, children don’t just drown in swimming pool accidents. Children can drown in bathtubs, drainage ditches, and buckets as well. The most reasonable solution to safeguarding your children is by teaching children to swim. However, parents of even the strongest swimmers should gather strategies on safeguarding their children around water to avoid injuries such as traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injuries.

Some general safety rules include:

• Children should never swim alone, even if they know how to swim. Cramps and fatigue can cause an accomplished swimmer to drown.
• Always check the depth of the water before diving in. Observe “No diving” or “No Swimming” signs.
• Swim in areas with a lifeguard; however, overcrowded pools can be hazardous as the chaos can mask the danger.
• If you give your children a flotation device as a toy, it should never be a substitute for a PFD (personal flotation device). Likewise, floaties and water wings should never replace the parent.

Some theories suggest that flotation devices should never be given to children so they can become familiar with the properties of water and learn to swim more efficiently.

• Do not allow your children to run as decks and concrete patios are often wet and slippery. Slip and falls for children can easily occur that would often seem small; however, children can fall quickly, and the fall can result in a severe brain injury.
• It is advised that NO DIVING should ever happen in an above-ground pool.
• Keep a telephone outside close to the pool area, so you will not be tempted to leave the pool area for even a few seconds to answer the phone.
• Keep chairs and tables far away from the pool to keep children from accidentally falling in.
• Keep toys away from the pool area as children can easily fall in trying to access the toys.
• Keep emergency numbers at the poolside telephone.
• Keep rescue equipment beside the pool at all times
• Have children start swimming lessons early, but never think that after a few lessons that your child “can swim” or should be left alone to swim
• Completely fence off the pool by using self-closing and safety latch gates.

While parents and caregivers implement as many safety precautions as possible, the goal is to have many “fail-safes.” This fail-safe idea implies that a child may enter and pass one safety area, but a second and third barrier will slow them down if you happen to look away for even a few seconds. Those few seconds can be the difference between a fun, safe summer and serious injury or death. Summer is a fun, happy time and tragic serious injury accidents ruin the season and lives.

If you have a loved one injured in a pool-related accident, Zane Cagle at The Cagle Law Firm can assist you in determining if you have a claim or lawsuit. Using a St. Louis attorney such as Zane Cagle allows you the resources to pursue damages and cover medical bills that are overwhelming after an injury.

At The Cagle Law Firm, an experienced premises liability lawyer in St. Louis can review your claim and help you file a lawsuit against the person responsible for your accident or injury or to help you to determine if you have a wrongful death claim. To schedule a consultation to discuss your claim, please contact the firm today at (314) 276-1681.