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Fourth of July Brings Increased Risk of Georgia Swimming Pool Accidents

Our Georgia Injury Attorneys wish each of you a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July weekend and we encourage you to watch young children and other guests around the water -- whether a portable backyard pool, an in-ground spa or while enjoying a day out on the water.

Georgia swimming pool accidents are a tragically common occurrence during the warm summer months. As we wrote previously on our Georgia Injury Attorney Blog, negligent parties may include the homeowner, babysitter or caretaker, pool manager or even the swimming pool manufacturer or maker of pool covers, drains or other equipment.

The Consumer Products Safety Commission reported 75 drownings and near drownings by mid-April. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports an average of 10 drowning deaths per day occur in the United States -- a statistic that spikes much higher in the summer.

For every child who dies from drowning, four others will be treated in hospital emergency rooms. Near drowning injuries can be devastating; often including brain damage or other neurological damage. Children under the age of 4 have the highest drowning rate.

And it's a mistake to think a large swimming pool or spa is required; a recent report shows children playing in small portable pools are also at high risk. In the last decade, 244 portable pool submersion accidents were reported among children under the age of 12; all but 35 led to fatal injuries, according to CNN Health. The rate of such accidents increased 500 percent between 2001 and 2005.

The CPSC offers the following pool safety tips:

  • Teach children to float or swim as soon as possible.
  • Always provide adult supervision around a swimming pool.
  • No one should swim alone, including an adult.
  • Explain to children the dangers of acting carelessly or recklessly around a swimming pool.
  • Never push someone into a pool.
  • Go feet first on slides.
  • Make sure other swimmers are out of the way before diving or sliding.
  • Teach children what to do in the event of an emergency.
  • Beware of the use of electrical appliances, such as a radio, around a pool.
  • Remember, swimming and excessive alcohol don't mix.

Tips for swimming pool owners include:

  • Make sure you are in compliance with local, state and federal ordinances.
  • Use non-stick material on decks, ladders, stairs, etc.
  • Make sure to utilize proper stairs and handrails.
  • Have electrical equipment properly installed by a licensed electrician.
  • Make sure your pool is surrounded by a fence or other conforming enclosure.
  • Properly mark water depths.
  • Keep pool equipment clean and in good repair.

If you are injured in a swimming pool accident, contact the North Georgia Personal Injury Attorneys at Casey W. Stevens Law: Alpharetta Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyers. Call 877-217-7230 for a free case evaluation.

Additional Resource

Swimming Pool Deaths and Injuries - Georgia State Law - Part II


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After being involved and a five car accident I contacted Casey Stevens law firm. I was given his number by a fellow coworker at my job who had used him in the past and was very satisfied with his services. The car accident included myself my husband and my son, the accident was determined to be the fault of two drivers involved in the accident. Casey personally came to my home the next day and said down with me and my family at the kitchen table and went over all the events of the accident. There were months and months of physical therapy, doctor visits injections and while my son had to have his mouth wired after having his jaw broke in three places. Casey and his staff worked continuously on our case and after it was all said and done, they where able to get us over $300,000 in damages. I really want to Thank Casey Stevens and his staff for always being available for phone calls and answering any questions I might have. I will continue to recommend potential clients to Casey Stevens law firm. Nina F
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Outstanding Attorney. Casey Stevens is outstanding!! Everyone there put me at ease and made me feel that my case was important to them, I was not just another number to them. Their professional staff were always on hand to answer any questions that I had and they sincerely cared about my well being. If I ever need legal help again, you will be my first and only call Susan
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