Protect Yourself (and Others) From Pool Accidents

By The Husband and Wife Law Team on August 6, 2021

There is nothing better than soaking in a cool pool on a hot Arizona day. As our state edges nearer to opening back up, residents can expect more lively pool parties this summer. But while we of the Husband and Wife Law Team love relaxing by the pool ourselves, we also want to encourage swimmers to keep safe and avoid swimming pool accidents. Some pools are more dangerous than others, and here’s how you can tell.

How Can I Be Injured at the Pool?

Most of us remember our parents shouting, “No running!” when we visited the pool, or reminding us to avoid snacking before jumping in, and there is a lot of wisdom to these age-old warnings. A day at the pool is meant to be a fun occasion, but it can quickly turn deadly. The National Safety Council (NSC) has determined that drowning is the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S., despite being entirely preventable. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also discovered that one in eight pool inspections identified an immediate health risk that required the pool to close until it was resolved.

Swimmers are often injured by:

• Slipping and falling on hard concrete
• Tripping on pool equipment, such as hoses, nets, and brushes
• Diving into the shallow end and suffering a spinal cord or head injury
• Falling into the deep end and drowning
• Becoming trapped by pool drains and drowning, or suffering evisceration injuries
• Being sliced by damaged ladders and railings
• Falling due to loose or broken ladders and railings
• Becoming sick due to toxic chemicals and bacteria in the water

A lack of supervision, or poor pool care, can mean the difference between life and death.

How Can I Tell If a Pool Is Unsafe?

If you are heading out to a friend’s pool party or just taking a dip at your local gym, it is important to know the signs of a dangerous pool to keep yourself, and others, safe and healthy. We also encourage you to learn more pool safety tips from the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC).

Common warning signs that a pool is unsafe include:

• Dirty or murky water
• Algae growing in the pool
• A lack of handrails and ladders
• Loose or damaged handrails and ladders
• Lots of toddlers in the pool (unclean diapers can cause infections)
• Lack of lifeguards or supervision
• Heavy drinking on the premises

How Can Property Owners Keep Pools Safe?

While swimmers should always be careful, many injuries they suffer are the result of negligent pool owners. Whether you are at your friend’s private pool, an Arizona rec center, or a members-only gym, the pool’s owner has a duty to keep it reasonably safe and prevent serious injuries. This includes abiding by local laws regarding pool management and cleaning, such as Phoenix’s rules for pool barriers, as well as following basic safety guidelines for property owners.

Property owners can help prevent pool injuries by:

• Testing the water for bacteria and parasites.
• Cleaning the pool on a regular basis.
• Maintaining chlorine-water balance.
• Adding anti-slip materials to steps and around the pool’s edge.
• Installing anti-entrapment devices to prevent drain injuries.
• Making sure all railings and ladders are secure.
• Having warning signs.
• Posting accurate depth signs to prevent diving injuries.
• Restricting unsupervised pool use.
• Preventing children from playing in the pool alone by installing locked gates and fences.

By failing to take necessary steps to prevent a foreseeable pool injury, a property owner can be liable for all the victim’s damages in a premises liability claim. If you or a family member was injured at a pool due to a negligent staff or management, then you should speak to an attorney as soon as possible.

The Husband and Wife Law Team at Breyer Law Offices, P.C., understands how serious pool accidents can be. We’ve helped numerous accident victims get proper compensation after an injury and are well-versed in standing up to negligent pool owners and their insurance companies. Let our Phoenix personal injury attorneys fight for you.

Call us at (602) 457-6222 to tell us what happened in a free consultation. We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning we do not get paid unless you do.