Don’t RUN On The Pool Deck, You May Have A Slip and Fall Injury

Summertime is here and there is no better sound than kids playing poolside.  The laughter and the sheer joy that a pool in the summer elicits from kids is something that will harken you back to your days as a kid.  We would venture a guess that you may also remember hearing adult after adult  say to you when you were a kid, “no running on the pool deck.”  These wise adults were trying to keep you safe and as an adult now you may find yourself saying this to the kids playing around the pool.

Each year, during the summer months, there are a number of incidents of Connecticut slip and fall accidents that happen around the pool when kids take it upon themselves to not listen to the wise adults that are encouraging them to be safe and they end up injuring themselves.  While not all of these injuries occur due to running, running on a wet pool deck is one of the most dangerous things you can do near or around a pool.

During the summer, if your child is lucky enough to visit swimming pools there are a number of different places she/he may find themselves.  Public swimming pools are generally more crowded and can present risks, however they are often staffed with lifeguards who kids are more likely to listen to when being warned about safety issues.  Public pools present other problems like overcrowding and lack of adult oversight by parents who may be distracted that can cause injuries easily.

Another type of pool that you and your child may visit are in a commercial setting like a water park or country club setting.  If this is the type of pool you are visiting there may be less dangers, but that is not to say there are no issues.  In most cases, a pool in this setting will be staffed by a lifeguard as well and the overcrowding issue may be less, however children and parents may be lulled into a false sense of safety and either let the rules slide a little bit or not pay as close attention as they otherwise should.  This is when accidents happen and injuries can occur.

The last type of pool that you and your child might encounter over the summer months is a private residence with an in-ground pool installed in the backyard.  This much less formal setting presents additional problems that the other two types of pools may not.  In most cases there will not be a lifeguard on duty so it is incumbent on the parents to keep an eye on their children.  Running on the pool deck may become a big issue poolside at a private residence.  The other challenge is that parents will often get distracted by talking to friends or family that they are visiting which can lead to long periods of time where the kids are by the pool with limited supervision.

So, what can you do to make sure your child is safe by the pool this summer?

1. Make sure you are aware of the type of pool you will be visiting and what safety measures are in place.

2. Always pay close attention when your child is in or around the pool and make sure she/he is following the rules.

3. Depending on the level of your swimmer you may want to consider requiring that she/he wears a life jacket to ensure safety.

Summer is meant for fun in the sun, but it can turn scary fast in the event of a Connecticut slip and fall injury.  If you are diligent and speak with your child before heading to the pool you can reduce the dangers of a pool and enjoy your time with friends and family with limited concerns.

If your child does fall and injure themselves on a pool deck you may need to speak with an experienced attorney who can review your case and work with you to protect your long-term interests.  Reach out to our office and one of our experienced attorneys will speak with you about your situation.