Texas Pool Drowning Dangers and Summer Pool Kid Safety

Summer pool safety advice for parents of young children.

With summer approaching, many Texans are cleaning and opening their pools for a season of swimming, splashing, and fun. However, swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs can pose a serious drowning danger to small children and it is very important to understand how to keep the pool on your property a safe place.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), an estimated 300 children under five years old drown in pool each year and thousands more suffer serious injuries from pool that often lead to permanent disabilities and brain damage. not only can you love a child or loved one to drowning if you do not properly care for your private pool area, you can also face Texas premises liability lawsuits if someone is injured or killed in your pool area due to your neglect.
Here are some simple Texas pool safety tips to help prevent pool accidents this summer:

• Construct a tall, sturdy fence around your pool. Pools should be surrounded on all four sides by a strong, four-foot tall fence in order to keep children out of the area when there is no one by the pool. Make sure the fence has a childproof lock.
• Supervise your children in the pool area at all times. For very young children, pool safety advocates suggest being within arm’s reach of your children at all times while in the pool. For older children, be sure to be poolside and ready with a phone in case of a pool accident.
• Be prepared. Anyone who owns a pool should know CPR as well as water rescue skills. Anyone who owns a pool should also have a lifesaver to throw to struggling swimmers. Remember: flotation toys are not a substitution for knowing how to swim.
• Small pools can be dangerous, too. Not just those with below-ground pools should worry about drowning accidents – those with hot tubs, above-ground pools, and plastic kiddie pools should be aware of drowning dangers.