Drowning In Swimming Pools Is Far Too Common In Florida

Swimming pools can be fun for families—especially in Florida during the summertime, when it’s hot out and kids are looking for an outdoor activity. But it is important to be aware of just how dangerous they can also be: not only is drowning a leading cause of death for children, but many public swimming pools can also be toxic in terms of the chemical levels in them.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every day, ten people die from unintentional drowning, and two of these are children 14 years old or younger. This is especially an issue in Florida, where unintentional drowning is the leading cause death in the state among children ages one through four.

Even Escaping Death Results In Severe Injury

According to the research, many survivors of drowning remain severely neurologically compromised, even after short submersion times, and will likely be dependent upon both their families and society for the rest of their lives. Long-term disabilities after these accidents often include learning and physical disabilities, memory loss, and even possibly remaining in a coma.

Rules and Regulations

According to the Florida Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act, constant adult supervision is the key to reducing the number of drowning incidents in the state of Florida. The law declares that all new residential swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs be equipped with at least one pool safety feature; features such as:

Being isolated from access to a home by an enclosure that meets the pool barrier requirements;
Being equipped with an approved safety pool cover;
Featuring an exit alarm with a minimum sound pressure rating on all doors and windows providing access to the pool;
All doors providing access being equipped with a self-closing, self-latching device with a release mechanism; or
A pool alarm that goes off upon detection of an accidental or unauthorized entrance into the water.

Public swimming pools carry additional requirements, including strict supervision requirements and permits necessary to operate. All swimming instructors and lifeguards must receive certifications, and facilities must also be equipped with an anti-entrapment system or device that complies with very specific standards, as well as additional protection against evisceration and body-and-limb suction entrapment.

Fort Lauderdale Pool Injury Lawyers

So many swimming pool drowning accidents are preventable; so many lives—especially those of children—could have been saved had there only been proper supervision and safety precautions taken.

At Friedland & Associates, our Fort Lauderdale lawyers understand what families go through when a loved one drowns or suffers from severe neurological injuries after a drowning incident. We are here to help. If you have questions or would like to discuss whether you have a case with us, get in touch today for a free consultation.

Resources:

leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0500-0599/0514/0514.html

leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0500-0599/0515/Sections/0515.29.html

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3493332/

traveltips.usatoday.com/state-florida-swimming-pool-laws-62689.html

cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Water-Safety/waterinjuries-factsheet.html