Texas is home to more than half a million inground pools, and pool ownership is on the rise nationwide. As the warmer months approach, thousands of Dallas residents will count on swimming pools to beat the summer heat. But many swimmers are unaware of just how dangerous swimming pools can be. That’s why our Dallas injury attorneys at Carabin Shaw want you to know about the risks of swimming pools. Read on to learn about swimming pool risks and safety precautions, and when to contact an accident attorney in Dallas.
Overlooked Dangers of Swimming Pools, and How to Stay SafeMany Americans are unaware of the fact that drowning is the number one cause of accidental death for children between ages one and four, or the fact that an average of ten drowning deaths occur in the U.S. every day. But fortunately, there are ways to reduce the risks associated with swimming pools, including:
1. Designate Someone to Watch the Water When Swimming at Home
Residential swimming pools don’t have lifeguards—which is one of the reasons they can quickly turn deadly. That’s why it’s a good idea to designate someone to watch the water during pool parties. The person watching the water should be responsible for nothing else, and you can rotate this role every ten minutes or so.
2. Don’t Rely on Floaties
Another pool danger is relying too heavily on flotation toys or floaties. According to experts, inner tubes, rafts, or swim wings can lull parents into a false sense of security. Instead, young children should always wear life vests in the pool and should be within arm’s length of an adult at all times.
3. Drowning Isn’t Obvious
Many people mistakenly believe that a drowning person or child will flail their arms or call for help—but the truth is, drowning is silent and can be hard to spot. So to stay safe, it’s crucial to not only know CPR, but also know the signs of drowning, including:
Our Dallas swimming pool personal injury attorneys want you to know that drowning isn’t the only way to sustain a serious injury in a swimming pool. Other common swimming pool accidents include:
After a swimming pool accident, your first priority should be to ensure the safety of those involved. Once the injured party has received medical attention, you should take pictures of the site where the accident occurred, take down names and phone numbers of witnesses (if any), and save all documents pertaining to the accident (such as accident reports, medical bills, etc.) in case you need to enlist an accident attorney in Dallas later. From there, it’s a good idea to consult with a qualified attorney to discuss your next steps and learn your options—even if you decide not to pursue legal action.
Consulting with an attorney can help you determine whether or not negligence played a role in your accident. For example, if a child fell into an ungated or unlocked pool, the pool owner may be held liable due to Texas premises liability laws. Filing a personal injury claim with the help of a Dallas swimming pool accident lawyer can help you recover damages for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and more.
Ready to Talk to a Dallas Injury Attorney? Call a Lawyer TodayHere at Carabin Shaw, our Dallas swimming pool accident lawyers want to help you if you’re ready to discuss your options. We offer all new clients a no cost consultation with a lawyer, and are available around the clock to take your call. To schedule your consultation with our office serving Dallas, call 1-800-862-1260. Don’t wait—call us and find out what the right accident attorney in Dallas can do for you.