Preventing Pool Accidents for Children

It's mid-February so what are we in the Fort Lauderdale area doing? Jumping in the pool, of course!

One of the privileges of living in southern Florida is our year-round balmy weather that allows us to enjoy miles of beautiful beaches and, of course, private and public swimming pools. Unfortunately, many cool dips can turn tragic, especially for children.

In 2016, Florida tied with Texas for the most fatal child drownings - 40 each - even though the population of the Lone Star state is 40% greater than ours. In fact, drowning is the leading cause of injury for children ages 1-4 in Florida and is the highest in the nation for that age group.

Our youngest victims most often drown in swimming pools, but any body of water is a danger including the ocean, lakes, rivers, canals and even bathtubs and large buckets. Young children don't yell or thrash around when they are in trouble in a pool. They usually just sink to the bottom, so it's vital that all children are carefully watched while enjoying the water.

A drowning survivor may suffer severe injuries and be neurologically compromised, even after short submersion. A victim may have to be dependent on the community and their families for the rest of their life with long-term physical disabilities, cognitive and memory losses and even remaining in a coma.

One of the keys to decreasing the incidence of drowning accidents is constant adult supervision. The responsible, alert adult will monitor all children in and around a swimming pool, and this means putting down a smartphone and other electronic devices. It only takes a few seconds for a deadly accident to occur. Avoiding alcoholic drinks when monitoring swimming children is prudent, as is being proficient in CPR.

Florida regulations specify safety requirements for residential swimming pools, spas and hot tubs. Pools must have at least one of these safety features:

• An enclosure that meets pool barrier requirements to isolate it from access from the home.
• An approved safety pool cover.
• An exit alarm on all doors and windows with access to the pool.
• A self-closing, self-latching device with a release mechanism on all doors providing access to the pool.
• A pool alarm triggered by an accidental or unauthorized entrance into the water.

You can find complete information on the Florida Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act here.

If you or a family member has suffered a pool injury or has been injured in a truck accident, a car accident or slip and fall or any other type of personal injury, please contact the Law Offices of Diana Santa Maria, P.A. immediately. Our experienced attorneys will fight for the compensation you deserve. Please call us for a free consultation. Attorney Diana Santa Maria, personal injury attorney in Fort Lauderdale, will fight to secure justice for you and your family. You can reach us at (954) 434-1077 or contact us via the website.