Now that the heat of summer has passed and colder weather begins to set in, many people choose to move their recreational swimming away from the beach to indoor pools and spas. While an indoor pool can be an excellent alternative, drowning accidents can easily happen if proper precautions are not taken. The following tips can help keep you safe and reduce your risk of being involved in an indoor drowning accident.
Supervise Swimmers
One of the best ways to reduce the risk of a drowning or near-drowning incident is to keep watch over all swimmers, especially younger children. Always be ready to spring into action if you should see someone struggling, and encourage weaker swimmers to stay in the shallow end of pools. If a child is very young or is still learning to swim, join them in the pool and remain within touching distance. Public indoor pools should have a lifeguard on duty at all times, though it is rarely a good idea to place all of your trust in the fulfillment of their duty. Lifeguard negligence contributes to a large number of drowning incidents, so it is important that you do your part to keep an eye on your loved ones.
Do Not Drink and Swim
Mixing alcohol and swimming is never a good idea. Drinking and swimming can skyrocket your chances of a drowning accident, as your impaired motor skills and inhibitions can cause you to lose control or consciousness while in the water. A person can easily drown if they were to slip and fall into a pool while inebriated, especially if they were to hit their head on the way down. For this reason, staying sober while around bodies of water is imperative.
Install Gates/Latches
Placing sturdy fences and gates around an indoor pool is also highly important. In the case of public indoor pools, entrances must be locked after hours to prevent intruders from using the facilities unsupervised. These precautionary measure can help keep little ones and possibly trespassers from wandering into the pool.
While these precautions can do a great deal to reduce the risk of drowning in an indoor pool, accidents can still happen. If your loved one has been involved in a water-related accident, a Texas swimming pool accident attorney from The J. Guerra Law Firm can help you seek a fair settlement for your suffering. Attorney Jesse E. Guerra has dedicated his entire career to helping victims of water-related accidents, and he is prepared to make every effort to maximize your chances of securing a desirable outcome for your case. To get started, request a free consultation or call his office today at (877) 903-8323!
