Having a private pool in your backyard definitely has its advantages – you can go swimming any time you like, you don’t have to compete with others for a good spot on the lawn and there are no pool pass fees to be paid. But one downfall of home swimming pools is they don’t come with a lifeguard as most public pools do. To prevent drownings and injuries, you need to be cognizant of safety hazards and work hard to maintain a backyard pool environment that is as safe as possible for your family and guests. Here are a few guidelines for doing so from our experienced Bucks County drowning attorney:
- Ensure children cannot access the pool when you aren’t around. Children should never be allowed near a pool or any other body of water unless they are being supervised by a responsible adult. To prevent accidents, put up a gate or fence that is at least four feet in height and has a latch that cannot be opened by young kids. For added security, keep a safety cover over the pool when it’s not being used. Taking these steps will allow your children to play in the backyard without you having to worry about them getting near the water.
- Follow basic safety rules for swimming with young kids. When swimming with a young child, always stay within arm’s reach of him/her. Never let the child in or near the pool without a trustworthy adult, and make sure he/she is wearing a life jacket that is approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.
- Educate your family on how to respond to emergencies. In the event that someone slips, starts to drown or has some other type of emergency issue, it’s important for your family members to know what to do. Therefore, it’s a good idea to enroll your entire family in CPR and water safety courses at the Red Cross. Plus, you should always have a rescue tube on hand – it could save the life of a drowning person.
- Keep the pool clean. If you fail to clean your pool regularly or correctly, the water will become a breeding ground for bacteria. This can cause your family members or guests to contract rashes, earaches and other ailments. Monitoring/adjusting the chemical levels in your pool as needed and following proper pool maintenance guidelines will keep those who come to swim healthy and happy.
Taking these safety precautions at your backyard pool will reduce the chances of you or a loved one being in a pool-related accident.
Mr. Heslin Is the Drowning Attorney Bucks County Trusts
Even when stringent swimming pool safety guidelines are followed, accidents can still happen. For these situations, Mr. Gary P. Heslin is ready to offer his legal expertise as a drowning lawyer in Bucks County. For decades, Mr. Heslin has been fighting for the rights of swimming pool accident victims and their families. He can seek financial compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, funeral costs and any other losses that come as a direct result of a swimming pool accident.
If you’re interested in using Mr. Heslin as your drowning attorney in Bucks County, head over to our website or dial (215) 332-0300. And for more summer preparedness tips, check out last week’s blog post on maintaining your car in hot weather. Thanks so much for reading!