With summer rapidly approaching, families in Connecticut look forward to lounging around poolside. However, accidents can easily occur at both public and private pools, and in some cases these accidents can lead to tragic consequences. Accordingly, it’s crucial for families as well as pool owners to remain vigilant against common risks to ensure the safety for all involved.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Protection, there are numerous factors that can greatly impact one’s risk of drowning. For instance, pools must be closely supervised at all times, particularly when there are young children in attendance. At public pools this requires the presence of a trained lifeguard, while home pools should be supervised by an adult who is a strong and capable swimmer in the event a drowning incident occurs.
Swimming ability can also impact one’s drowning risk. In fact, kids aged 1 to 4 years old experience a significant reduction in their drowning risk when subject to swimming lessons from a trained professional. Adults that lack an ability to swim are also at a greater risk of drowning, which only illustrates the importance of being properly trained in the correct swimming techniques early on.
While swimming pool accidents can’t always be prevented, there are steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of a serious injury from occurring. As stated by The Red Cross, home pools must be well-protected with fencing and barriers to prevent accidental drownings from occurring. Additionally, rules should be strictly enforced when it comes to running around the pool, diving, etc. Those with home pools are also encouraged to undergo first aid training in the event of an emergency.