Summer is here, and the hot, humid days are among us. With them comes the temptation to jump into a nice, cool pool or lake and enjoy the season. However, there are always risks when it comes to aquatic activities. Things can go wrong, and it’s important to know how to stay safe on the water. Lerner and Rowe is here with top 5 safety tips to guard your welfare on the water.
Know How to Swim
The first and perhaps most important safety tip is this: know how to swim. Anyone going near a pool, lake, or other body of water should know how to swim. This is because if something goes wrong, it’s always easier to deal with the situation when you know how to swim. Falling into a pool, for example, and not knowing how to swim means you may drown.
On the other hand, if you can swim, you’ll most likely just end up wet and maybe a little bit upset. Remember anyone who may have difficulty swimming, including young children, disabled individuals, and the elderly; keep an eye out especially for them.
Inspect the Water
Whenever you approach a body of water, inspect it. This is a sure way to ensure your welfare on the water. Why inspect the water? Well, first of all, you may not know how deep or shallow the water is upon first glance. Therefore, don’t dive into the water, but gradually step into it. This will prevent any serious injury upon entry.
Furthermore, check the water for suspicious color, substances, and other things. For example, some lakes contain brain-eating bacteria called Naegleria fowleri, which travels up the olfactory nerve from the nose and into the brain, destroying a person from the inside. The Illinois Department of Public Health has not received any reports of Naegleria fowleri infection. However, it is best to look out for posted warning signs to help reduce your chances of an infection.
Stay Vigilant
It’s important to keep an eye on everyone in the group when swimming. If necessary, designate a person to be the water watcher to keep an eye on you and everyone else that’s swimming. Stay alert, and make sure that children, the disabled, and the elderly are taken care of.
To keep young toddlers and infants from falling in, put a proper gate around your pool. Additionally, avoid distractions; make sure the water watcher stays off their phone and avoids listening to loud music. Distractions could be fatal, so keep a watchful eye and an attentive ear present at all times. If you or someone you know suffered pool injury or wrongful death due to someone else’s negligence, e.g. an inattentive lifeguard, contact Lerner and Rowe for a free consultation.
Monitor Your Health
To maintain your welfare on the water, it’s important to keep an eye on your health. If you have a sickness or other medical condition, don’t get in the water. You may want to consult a physician to see if swimming would make your condition worsen. While you may think it’s OK to get in the water with a cold or flu, you increase the potential of your symptoms becoming more severe.
Additionally, keep an eye on the weather. Don’t get in the water on an overcast day, or when there is a thunderstorm approaching. Furthermore, follow safe swimming practices. For instance, never run around a pool, lest you slip and fall. Sometimes, though, slipping and falling may not be your fault. If you slipped and fell because of someone else’s negligence, contact Lerner and Rowe; we’ll work with you on your personal injury case.
Keep Proper Supplies Handy
It’s always a smart idea to have proper gear at hand. Life jackets, a first aid kit, life rings, and other devices are must-haves in the event of an emergency. In addition to proper gear, you may want to consider becoming trained in CPR.
This way, if someone needs resuscitation after having been rescued, you can help out until an ambulance/medical professionals arrive. Make sure to have a blanket ready to keep the person warm, and keep bandages and other necessities ready.
Suffer a Personal Injury at the Pool?
If you suffered a personal injury due to someone else’s negligence, Lerner and Rowe is here to help. Contact us immediately for a free consultation. Our office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. However, you can get in touch with us anytime at (708) 222-2222. Additionally, you can reach us online 24/7 by filling out a contact form or by using our convenient LiveChat feature. Don’t wait; get in touch today!
The information on this blog is for general information purposes only. Nothing herein should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.