Taking children to the beach or heading out for sun and socialization at a local pool is a standard summer pastime. People take days off of work to head to the beach. They plan trips with friends and family. They hit the community pool on the weekends.
Whether the intent is to help the children learn to swim or to even out tan lines, a waterside visit should be fun and relaxing, not stressful. Unfortunately, injuries at pools and beaches are relatively common. People who prepare in advance can avoid some of the most common risk factors for serious injuries.
How can people getting ready for summertime fun limit their risk of aquatic injuries?
When heading to the beach
There are many injury hazards at the beach. Generally speaking, swimmers need to stay in designated areas to avoid incidents in which they could end up injured by watercraft. Other beach hazards may include intoxicated individuals, broken glass and dogs running loose. The lack of lifeguards is another potential safety concern.
Parents taking their children and teenagers swimming may also want to refresh them on how to handle a riptide. People sometimes get caught in water currents that could prove fatal without the appropriate response. Those caught in riptides generally want to swim parallel to the shore until the current subsides instead of trying to fight against it, which is almost impossible even for the strongest of swimmers.
When heading to the pool
Pools offer protection from riptides and dangerous debris in the sand. They typically have lifeguards on duty. However, they can be dangerous in their own right. Particularly when taking children to a pool, excitement can lead to injuries.
Young people often slip on the wet floors surrounding the pool, which may lead to them falling and sustaining major injuries. Parents may also need to teach their children about the risks related to the pool’s filtration system. Children are often drawn to the locations where water flows in and out of pools, but those locations can be incredibly dangerous for swimmers.
When pool or beach injuries do occur, the negligence of another party is often to blame. Drunk boaters, poorly-trained lifeguards and owners who do not prioritize facility maintenance can put the public at unnecessary risk. Discussing the circumstances leading to pool or beach injuries with a skilled legal team can help people pursue compensation for their medical costs and other losses.
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