Costa Mesa Swimming Pool Accidents

Many Californians have access to a swimming pool, whether it is in their backyards or local communities. And while they can be wonderful to spend a warm day in, it is important to remember that pools can also be dangerous.

According to the CDC, drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death in children ages 1 to 4 years. In 2014, there were 36 deaths of children between the ages of 0 and 14 in California – the second highest in the nation. There is also an average of 4,900 pool and spa drowning-related injuries that occur each year, with most taking place in residential homes.

Adult accidents and deaths in swimming pools are also high. Drowning causes 4,000 deaths annually, and two thirds of those are over the age of 14. It can also cause emotional trauma; according to the National Safety Council, more than 90% of parents who lose a child to drowning end up divorcing.

Swimming Pool-Related Accidents

The statistics above are enough to prove drowning is a swimming pool-related accident. A lack of swimming ability, insufficient barriers, and no supervision can all contribute to drowning deaths or accidents. Alcohol use and seizure disorders can also cause injuries.

There are several other accidents that can happen in a pool area.

• Suction outlets. In some pools, suction outlets are used to pull the water in so it can go through a filtration system. While this is used to keep the water circulating, it can also cause bodily harm. If a suction outlet is too strong, it can pull hair or other body parts in, resulting in injury, disembowelment, or death.

• Chemical burns. Both chlorine and cyanuric acid are often involved in the chemistry maintenance of pool systems in California. Too much chlorine in a pool or direct exposure to chlorine will burn the skin. Although cyanuric acid is used to stabilize the chlorine in a swimming pool exposed to sunlight, it can also burn the skin. If swimming pool staff do not know how to immediately treat burns, it can lead to exasperated symptoms and long-term effects on the skin.

• Slip and fall. Splashing and walking on a pool deck with wet feet can cause the deck to become slippery. Other chemicals on the deck, such as sun screen or spilled drinks, can also cause the area to be slippery. If the pool deck is not made of a material that allows for wet feet to grip the surface, slipping and falling may occur. 

How to Prevent Accidents

• Learn to swim. Formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88% in children ages one through four. Adults can also benefit from swim lessons.

• Learn CPR. Learning CPR can enable a person to know what to do should he or she encounter a drowning victim. This procedure may keep the victim alive until the proper authorities arrive.

• Fence the pool. Many children who drown have been out of a parent’s sight for less than five minutes. By fencing the pool, parents can prevent drowning even if a child wanders into a pool area. Fencing public pools is also important; it helps prevent people from freely walking up to the pool when there is no supervision.

• Stay aware. The best way to prevent swimming-related injuries or death is to stay aware. Parents should always be within arm’s reach of a child, and those who have poor swimming abilities should always remain within arm’s reach of a wall. A responsible adult should be designated to keep an eye on the pool for signs of drowning. Always swim with friends so you can supervise them and they can supervise you.

Costa Mesa | Irvine | Mission Viejo

Being involved in a swimming pool related accident can be traumatic. At Mann & Elias, we encourage you to contact a premises liability lawyer if you or a loved one has been involved in this type of accident. An experienced lawyer can help you navigate the premises law waters and help you easily swim through your case.