Whether you are cooling off or getting exercise, swimming is a very enjoyable activity. And with the end of summer coming soon, many people may want to take advantage of every last bit of the warmer weather and use their outdoor pools or swim in a body of water. With that in mind, here are some safety tips for those of you who will be swimming during the holiday weekend.
Pool Chemical Safety
Injuries from pool chemicals led to nearly 5,000 emergency room visits in 2012, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Pool chemical injuries were most common during the summer swim season, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and almost half occurred on weekends, reports the CDC. In order to prevent injury, read and follow the directions on the pool chemical product labels. Also, you should wear appropriate safety equipment, as directed, when handling pool chemicals. Keep young children and animals away when handling the chemicals. Refrain from mixing different pool chemicals together, especially chlorine products with acid.
Swimming Safety
The CDC reports that, from 2005-2009, there were an average of 3,533 fatal unintentional drownings (non-boating related) annually in the United States. About one in five people who die from drowning are children who are fourteen and younger. Children ages one to four have the highest drowning rates. In order to swim safely, you make sure to check the local weather forecast before swimming. Also, you should swim in an area supervised by lifeguards, recommends the Red Cross. Always swim with someone else. Never leave a young child unattended near water. Maintain constant supervision. If you are supervising preschool-age children, you should be close enough to them that you can reach them at all times, recommends the CDC. If there are any inexperienced swimmers, make sure that they wear a life jacket. Secure your pool with appropriate barriers. A four-sided isolation fence (separating the pool area from the house and yard) reduces a child’s risk of drowning eighty-three percent compared to three-sided property-line fencing, according to the CDC. Many children who drown in home pools were out of sight for less than five minutes and in the care of their parents, according to the Red Cross. If a child is missing, check the water first. Every second is crucial when preventing death or disability.
If you or a family member or friend have suffered an injury, call the Chicago accident lawyers of Stein & Shulman, LLC to obtain compensation for your injury. Call our office for a consultation so we can discuss your rights and how best to handles your injury claim. There is no charge for speaking with one of our experienced attorneys so call us at 312.422.0500.
