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Taking Extra Steps to Secure Your Pool Can Save Lives

At The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker we find that clients are often shocked to learn just how dangerous pools can be. Many people associate drowning with boating accidents but the truth is that pools are much more dangerous. Keep reading to find out how many children die each year from pool accidents and discover how you can make your pool safer. Then contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 if you or a loved one has suffered an accident in someone else’s pool.

You May Be Surprised to Learn Just How Dangerous a Pool Can Be

If you are like many people, you may assume that there are only a handful of deaths in pools each year. The fact is that drowning is the top cause of death for children 5 and younger. Hundreds of children die in pools each year – and thousands are injured or suffer from a near-drowning. That is according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Remember though that it is not just children – adults and teenagers can drown in pools too. The good news is that there are some simple steps that reduce the chances.

Drowning Can Happen When You Least Expect It

One of the biggest mistakes a person with a pool can do is assume that they do not need to take extra steps to keep their pool safe. They may assume that there are no children who have access to their pool, or that everyone they invite over has experience swimming.

The truth is that about 70% of pool drowning deaths occur when the homeowner did not expect that the victim would be anywhere near the pool or hot tub. If you own a home with a pool or jacuzzi, you should assume that it will be accessed without your permission and act accordingly.

Build Barriers That Prevent Access Over, Under, or Through Them

There are three essential factors when choosing the right barriers to keep your pool safe: Make sure that no one can get over them, under them, or through them. This requires that the barrier system should be at least four feet high and should not have anything that can be used as a foot or hand hold to scale it.

Likewise, there should be a distance of less than four inches between the bottom of the barrier and the ground or floor. Finally, there should be not any opening that is more than two inches in any direction. Following these simple tips when creating a barrier can help prevent unwanted access.

Of course, nothing can prevent all drowning accidents. If you or a loved one has dealt with the repercussions of this type of accident, and it was caused by someone else acting negligently or recklessly, then it is time to contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 to find out what your legal options are.