Safety Tips to Avoid Drowning Accidents

Here in southern Florida we have an abundance of water sources perfect for recreational fun including more than 600 miles of beaches and thousands of private and public swimming pools.

With our perpetual warm weather, millions of people enjoy swimming, fishing and boating each year. Unfortunately, enjoying the water all too often results in injuries and even drownings. In 2012, 440 Florida residents drowned with an additional 343 hospitalized in near-drowning accidents (FloridaHealth.gov).

Sadly, our state leads the nation in the drowning death rate of children under age 5, where more than half of these die in swimming pools.

Private and public swimming pool owners have a serious responsibility to comply with state and local ordinances for pool safety. Residential pools, spas and hot tubs must provide at least one pool safety feature such as a barrier, an approved safety pool cover or exit alarms on all doors and windows leading to the pool area. You can read all Florida state rules here. Check with your county and city for local regulations that must be followed.

The Law Offices of Diana Santa Maria, P.A. urges all pool, spa and hot tub owners to meet or exceed basic regulations required for pool safety:

• Comply with all local, county and state laws for entry, barrier and all other safety requirements.
• Hire a trained professional to inspect your pool annually for physical condition, safety equipment and water quality.
• Teach your children basic water safety and how to swim.
• Never allow children to swim alone, even in the shallow water of a spa or hot tub.
• Look first in the pool if a child is missing.
• Add self-latching, self-closing latches that open outward to gates.
• Install gate, pool, window and/or door alarms to warn you when children come near the pool.
• Add safety drain covers that are anti-trapment to prevent children becoming trapped in pool pipes, drains and other openings.
• Remove all floats and toys when not in use to avoid a child being tempted and jumping in the pool unsupervised.
• Never swim alone or supervise children who are swimming when under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Clean up spills quickly to avoid slips and falls.
• Keep current with life-saving and CPR skills.

Visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's PoolSafely website for more tips on owner responsibility and pool safety.

If you or a family member has been injured in a swimming pool accident or any other personal injury accident, contact the Law Offices of Diana Santa Maria, P.A. for a free consultation. Attorney Diana Santa Maria, personal injury attorney in Fort Lauderdale, will fight to get you the compensation that you and your family deserve. You can reach us at (954) 434-1077 or contact us via the website.