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Pools and spas are inviting to children of all ages, starting with toddlers. They are also very dangerous. According to the Department of Children and Families, Florida ranked No.1 in the country for child water fatalities, with 93 in 2022.

"Our children’s safety around pools and spas is important to us at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. The devastation of losing a child, or having a child injured, in a pool or spa accident is preventable. We are devoting this blog to sharing 7 tips that are provided by PoolSafely.gov and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in the hopes that more children can have an enjoyable and safe time in pools and spas,” said Fort Myers Child Injury Attorney Randall Spivey.

1. "Never leave a child unattended in or near water. Always watch children when they’re in or near water, and never leave them unattended. Designate an official Water Watcher, an adult tasked with supervising children in the water. That should be their only task – They shouldn’t be reading, texting, or playing games on their phone. Have a phone close by at all times in case you need to call for help, and if a child is missing, check the pool first.

Even if a lifeguard is present, parents and caregivers should still take the responsibility of being a designated Water Watcher. When any lifeguard chair is empty, the remaining lifeguards may not be able to see the entire pool, and when lifeguards are seated in low chairs, their view can be blocked by patrons in the pool.

2. Teach children how to swim. Swimming is not only fun, it’s a lifesaving skill. Enroll children in swimming lessons; there are many free or reduced-cost options available from your local YMCA, USA Swimming chapter, or Parks and Recreation Department.

3. Teach children to stay away from drains. Do not play or swim near drains or suction outlets, especially in spas and shallow pools, and never enter a pool or spa that has a loose, broken, or missing drain cover. Children’s hair, limbs, jewelry, or bathing suits can get stuck in a drain or suction opening. When using a spa, be sure to locate the emergency vacuum shutoff before getting in the water.

4. Ensure all pools and spas – both in your backyard and any public pool you may visit – have compliant drain covers. Virginia Graeme Baker, after whom the Pool and Spa Safety Actis named, died from drowning due to a suction entrapment from a faulty drain cover. All public pools and spas must have drain grates or covers that meet safety standards to avoid incidents like the one that took Graeme’s life. Powerful suction from a pool or spa drain can even trap an adult.

5. Install proper barriers, covers, and alarms on and around your pool and spa. (Note: In Florida, it’s the law. Florida Residential Pool Safety Act) Proper fences, barriers, alarms, and covers can be lifesaving devices. A fence of at least four feet in height should surround the pool or spa on all sides and should not be climbable for children. The water should only be accessible through a self-closing, self-latching gate. Teach children to never try to climb over the gate or fence. Install a door alarm from the house to the pool area, and keep pool and spa covers in working order.

6. Know how to perform CPR on children and adults. Often, bystanders are the first to aid a drowning victim, so learning CPR can help save a life. And once you’re CPR certified, make sure to keep your certification current. CPR classes are available through many hospitals, community centers, or by contacting the American Red Cross.

7. Take the Pledge! Before heading to the pool or spa with your family, remember to take the Pool Safely Pledge. This online call to action is a reminder to stay safer around the water.”

Fort Myers Child Injury Attorney Protects the Rights of Swimming Pool/Spa Fatality Victims

Should you or a loved one be seriously injured because of the negligence of another, you may be entitled to recover damages for such things as:

• Medical care
• Prescription medications
• Other out-of-pocket costs
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma

We represent people involved in numerous types of personal injury and wrongful death accidents throughout the state of Florida. All of our clients have unique personal injury cases. Our firm provides personal contact and communication along with aggressive representation.

You may contact us 24/7 at 239.337.7483, toll-free at 1.888.477.4839, or online at SpiveyLaw.com.