Cooling Off with the Kids This Summer? Beware of These Public Pool Dangers

When the temperature starts to rise, there’s only one thing for it. A trip to the public pool. It’s a chance to cool off, have some fun and make lots of happy, summer memories. Sadly, a large number of poolside accidents involving children happen each year. Ranging from drowning accidents – click the link to speak to this team of PI lawyers from Santa Monica – to infections and other nasty injuries.

No family day out should include a trip to the emergency room or end in complete tragedy. Which is why you and your children must familiarise yourselves with the dangers of public pools. Read on to find out more. 

You’re not watching your kids

Yes, there might be a lifeguard on duty at the public pool, but ultimately, the responsibility of watching your children and keeping them safe comes down to you. Lifeguards are only there as an emergency measure and a last resort, they're not babysitters. If you're at the pool with other parents, it's easy to get distracted by the conversation, or if you're using your phone, however, you should always be vigilant and keep a close eye on your children.

You don’t know what drowning looks like

The depiction of drowning on TV and film, makes us believe that drowning is a dramatic event, with the victim screaming for help and thrashing around violently. Sadly, it’s just not the case. Drowning is alarmingly silent. With the victim unable to scream because they can’t take in enough air.

Other signs to look out for include the head thrust back in the water, hair covering the face and movement that mimics climbing a ladder in the water. Don’t be fooled into thinking you’ll hear your child drowning; it usually happens within minutes and completely silently.

You’re relying on floatation devices

Floatation devices are meant to be used to give children the confidence to swim. They're not life-saving equipment. Sadly, floatation devices often give parents (and children) a false sense of security. Which can lead to tragic accidents. If your child is using a flotation device, you should be monitoring them, constantly.

Drains and filters

As a rule, children should be advised to avoid pool drains and filters. The suction from these devices can cause all kinds of potential dangers. Children becoming trapped and sucked underwater, or even getting their hair caught up in pool filters and being held under the water just doesn’t bear thinking about. Always monitor your children and advise them to keep away from these devices.

And finally, disease and bacteria

Yes, all pools are chlorinated, however, it's not enough to keep germs and bacteria at bay. If there is faecal matter in the pool, then you're all at risk of contracting a parasite known as Cryptosporidium. This nasty little bug is usually the result of someone ingesting water that contains faecal matter – highly unpleasant! Chlorine by-products (known as chloramines) are created when the chlorine is mixed with dirt and other bacteria's which in turn can trigger asthma attacks and irritate the eyes.