Five Deadly Mistakes That Cause Pool Accidents
Each year, thousands of people get seriously injured or lose their lives as a result of slip and fall that lands them into the pool. As a pool owner, it becomes your responsibility to have adequate preventive measures in place to prevent accidents from happening.
The fact is that a large number of pool owners are unaware of the dangers lurking around this place. A lack of information and awareness is the primary reason behind the increasing number of pool accidents year after year.
This article provides useful information about the most common causes of pool accidents. It will help to create awareness amongst them so they can make it safe for all. Prevention is always better than cure.
#1 Lack of Fencing
image © unsplash
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), 67 percent of swimming pool drowning deaths involved children younger than three years old for the period 2015-2017. Pools that are open from all sides are easily accessible to toddlers, small kids, and pets. Four-Sided proper fencing is an essential safety measure that should be put in place around the pool to prevent children from drowning.
Surprisingly, installing proper barriers like fencing and manual/automatic pool covers is an easy and cost-effective measure to prevent children’s access (and accidental drownings), but it often remains overlooked.
#2 Intoxication
image © unsplash
For many people, a swimming pool is a place for enjoyment where they have drinks with their near and dear ones. They don’t realize that alcohol influence impairs their judgment, which combines with the lack of coordination to cause devastating results.
There’s a strong reason why you see “ alcohol prohibited” signboards outside residential and commercial swimming pools. There’s no reason why you should not have one! According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 70% of water recreation deaths involve alcohol consumption. That’s another shocker.
#3. Defective Equipment
image © unsplash
Indoor swimming pools require regular maintenance to ensure all equipment is functioning properly. Surprisingly, many pool owners miss out on this crucial aspect. As a result, defective equipment and parts go undetected, which can cause serious injury to swimmers.
For example, a broken or missing ladder could cause a person struggling hard to exit the pool. It is mandatory for all pools to have anti-entrapment devices to prevent swimmers’ limbs, hair, and clothing from getting caught in a drain, but it remains missing in many of them.
#4. Slippery or Uneven Decks
image © unsplash
It is not just the pool that poses a risk to swimmers but its surroundings also present dangers that can catch you unaware. Swimming pool pavement made of concrete can become excessively slippery, which can cause people to slip and hurt themselves grievously. They can also fall in the pool by losing balance which can have dire consequences.
As an owner, the onus is on you to keep the surrounding area as dry as possible by clearing any water/moisture on its surface. You can also put on automatic pool covers back on when not using a pool.
#5. Lack of Close Supervision
image © unsplash
A swimming pool is also a breeding ground for young kids learning basic swimming skills. However, they should not be left on their own while they practice swimming. Children are likely to drown or sustain a swimming-related injury due to a lack of close supervision. Parents or trainers need to keep a close eye on young children all the time; evan a small lapse in their concentration can result in fatal pool accidents.
Conclusion
Summing it up, it can be said that a beautiful pool can also be a death trap in disguise. Having it in your home is a luxury, but it also demands more responsible behavior from the owners. Make your pool safe by having adequate safety measures in place to prevent any untoward accident resulting in the loss of life and money.
Author Bio: Justin Hagerty is knowledgeable in pool safety and works for Covers in Play which is a reputable, well-established manufacturer and supplier of quality fixed and automatic pool covers and closures.
cover photo © unsplash
