No matter what time of the year it is, people still are able to have fun in the sun in Las Vegas. There is often easy access to swimming pools and hot tubs here at the local YMCA, in a hotel, in a condo building, or even in the backyard. Not surprisingly, both adults and children love a pool party or to just dip in the pool year round; this is possible in states like Nevada, where the weather is warm a majority of the months, not just during the summer. Unfortunately, swimming accidents happen year round, as well.
Swimming Injuries by the Numbers
Swimming pool-related accidents can cause serious injuries, or even death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention there were more than 3,500 fatal unintentional drownings that were not boating-related between 2005 and 2014. Approximately one out of every five deaths were children aged 14 and younger. Additionally, more than 50% of drowning victims require hospital or emergency care. Even non-fatal drowning injuries, however, can have devastating effects including long-lasting brain damage.
Common Causes of Nevada Swimming Pool Accidents
There are several reasons why swimming pool-related accidents happen. Below are the most common causes.
- Use of alcohol or drugs: Alcohol and drugs can impede one’s coordination and judgment, making it a dangerous situation around swimming pools. The CDC reports that 70% of deaths related to water recreation involved the use of alcohol or drugs by one or more parties.
- Damaged equipment or property: Be sure to check pool equipment and the area surrounding the pool regularly to prevent injuries. Whether its a broken pool ladder, diving board, or missing or cracked tiles or concrete, any of these issues can potentially cause a serious accident.
- Electrical issues: Be sure to keep all electronics such as stereos, stoves, or any other item that uses electricity away from the pool. When water and electricity are combined, the risk of electrocution increases exponentially.
- Damaged or missing barriers and safety equipment: Pools must have barriers around them, to keep others from falling in. This is especially true if there are small children around. The same is true for keeping safety equipment on hand to save lives in a dangerous situation. These should include life jackets and flotation devices.
- Poor or no supervision: Do not leave a child unattended at a pool. While many public pools have trained lifeguards, one may not be present during off-season or after-hours. Moreover, a majority of building and condo swimming pools do not have a lifeguard at all. Just five minutes of no supervision by a pool can have fatal results.
- Inability to swim: Those who take swimming lessons have a much lower risk of drowning or suffering a swimming-related injury than those who do not. A surprising percentage of adults and children do not know how to swim or have poor swimming skills. Prevention is key, even if you are learning just the basics.
Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys
You and your family do not have to become a statistic. There are several safety precautions you can take to prevent swimming pool-related injuries and deaths. If you or someone you know has been hurt in a swimming pool accident or any other type of accident, contact the Las Vegas-based Matt Pfau Law Group today. We will fight for the compensation you deserve while you focus on recovering during this difficult time.
