INJURY | PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER | PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY | INJURIES

Swimming pool accidents kill 1,000 children and injure 5,000 more every year. Accidents and injuries can happen in and out of the water. Teach your children swimming pool safety rules, and put a fence with a childproof gate around your pool. Hopefully, your neighbors will do the same thing. Begin by explaining each swimming pool hazard:

• Slippery surfaces cause you to slip and fall.
• Running makes slipping and falling more likely.
• Diving should only be done with the permission of an adult, and only in the deep end.
• Playing in or around the pool without supervision and without flotation devices is not allowed.
• Playing in or around a friend’s pool is not allowed without permission.

Then, teach your children swimming basics:

• The earlier they learn to float and swim, the stronger the swimmer they’ll be.
• Give them flotation devices, and teach them to hold their breath under water.
• Teach them to swim to the edge of the pool or the closest point that they can hold on to.
• Teach them how to tread water.
• Also, talk to them about floating on their backs and avoiding panic if there is a problem.
• Always have devices to pull people who are drowning out of the water. Never jump in to help someone, because they will pull you under.

Swimming pool accidents can result in broken bones, head trauma, brain injury, spinal cord injury, and drowning. Know CPR and first aid; it always comes in handy with children around. If someone breaks a bone, keep them as still as possible and elevate the limb to relieve pain and swelling. Call 911. In the event of a head trauma or possible brain injury, (you’ll know because the person is unconscious or disoriented; has dilated pupils; is bleeding or fluid is leaking out of eyes, ears nose and mouth; is nauseous and vomiting; is dizzy; and/or has a headache), call 911. Keep the person as still and quiet as possible. In the event of a spinal cord injury, do not move the person. If you need to perform CPR, do it with as little movement as possible. Call 911. In the event of a near drowning, rescue them from the pool with a flotation device or long stick such as a pool cleaner or tree branch. Perform CPR if they are unconscious. Once the person begins coughing up water, turn him/her to the side and help the water drain from the lungs. Tags: diving board accident, drowning, pool accident, slip and fall, swimming pool accident, swimming safety