Summer beckons with its promise of sun-drenched days and refreshing dips in the pool, lake, or ocean. But amidst the carefree enjoyment, it is important to remember that water can also pose hidden dangers. Therefore, knowing potential risks and key safety precautions is important to ensure a safe day.
This blog post will provide an overview of the hidden dangers various bodies of water can pose and will offer practical tips to help you and your loved ones stay safe this season.
Drowning and Other Dangers: Understanding Water Safety
Drowning is among the biggest risks posed by water and is a common cause of accidental death among children. Drowning occurs when a person experiences breathing difficulties due to being in or underwater, which can result in serious and long-term health consequences or even death. Drowning can also occur in any body of water, including backyard pools, oceans, lakes and bathtubs. For these reasons, many parents intend to ensure their child learns how to swim. Learning to fight against strong currents, avoid slip and fall accidents, and treading in deep waters. However, swimming is only one part of water safety and risk prevention.
General Water Safety Tips
Whether hosting a backyard pool party or driving to a coastal beach, several important safety considerations must be remembered. Some general water safety tips include:
- Walk: Do not run around pool decks or water parks, as this can result in a slip and fall and you may sustain serious injuries, such as fractured bones or head injuries.
- Use the buddy system: Avoid swimming alone in the event of an emergency or unexpected danger.
- Feet first: Proceeding feet first into any body of water ensures you avoid the dangers of shallow water diving, which can result in serious injuries including traumatic brain injuries if your head strikes the edge of the pool or an unknown hazard under the water.
- Practice safe and sober swimming: This helps ensure your reaction time and motor skills are not impaired while in the water.
- Remain calm: In an emergency, it is important to stay calm and react responsibly by contacting the appropriate authorities.
- Wear a lifejacket: Whether you are swimming or soaking up sun rays on a boat, it is important to wear a lifejacket, particularly if you are not a strong swimmer or are in unfamiliar water.
- Know your limits: Be aware of your swimming ability before going out into any body of water.
- Do not leave children unattended: Swimming alone is an unsafe practice, particularly for children. Children should always remain in sight while in the water and wear a lifejacket.
Pool Safety
- Observe pool rules: Whether at a private residence or public pool and do not run or play aggressively.
- Avoid pool drains: The strong force of water circulation can create suction, trapping hair, jewelry, clothing or body parts.
- Maintain safety: Homeowners should install barriers around their pool, such as pool covers, fences and gates, in order to make the water less accessible and mitigate the likelihood of an accident.
- Check toys and equipment: Ensure that any pool toys, floaties, or other equipment that you are using or offering to guests pass the relevant safety checks and are not defective.
Beach and Lake Safety
- Be mindful of nature: Strong currents, high waves and wildlife may be present in open bodies of water. It is important to pay attention to the beach flags and remain alert to your surroundings with an eye toward potential threats in the water.
- Watch your step: Oceans and lakes can have sudden drop-offs, slippery rocks and other natural hazards, which can cause slip and falls, resulting in serious injuries.
- Pay attention to the weather: Do not go out on the water in bad weather, as waves can quickly swell and the current can sweep you out into deep water.
Do You Have a Personal Injury Claim?
Swimming, boating, and other water-related activities can be inherently dangerous, and it is not always possible to stop summer fun from turning into tragedy. However, while some accidents are completely accidental, other injuries can be the result of someone else’s negligence. Accordingly, property owners, boat operators, and other parties can be held liable when their negligence results in harm to others. For these reasons, it is important to take serious precautions when out on the water for your sake and the sake of others.
If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries due to another party’s negligence, you may be entitled to recover compensation for lost income, pain and suffering, medical expenses, and other losses. As such, it is important to speak with a skilled personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after an accident to determine whether you may have a claim. Your lawyer will assess the circumstances that resulted in your injury and can advise you of your options to move forward.
Contact Cuming & Gillespie LLP in Calgary for Advice on Summer Water Injuries
Whether you are staying local or travelling to the coast, it is important to take precautions before going out on any body of water. At Cuming & Gillespie LLP, our personal injury lawyers understand that despite careful planning, accidents can still happen, which is why we work closely with clients to understand the nature of their accident and injuries. If you have been injured due to another person’s negligence, it is important to consult with a personal injury lawyer who can assess the circumstances of your case and help you move forward, allowing you to focus on your recovery. To schedule a confidential consultation with one of our lawyers, reach out to us online or by phone at 403-571-0555.