A trusted Massachusetts injury attorney takes you through some of the most important safety guidelines for both pool owners and parents this summer.

Massachusetts Injury Attorney | Safety At The PoolSummer is in full swing and I’m sure you will be hitting the pool or beach if you haven’t already. But spending a hot day by the pool can have some consequences if you are not careful.

But as a Massachusetts injury attorney I know that you can also avoid injuries if you are simply mindful safety rules at the pool. If you own a home, it is important to make sure your home safe for your guests and of course your family.

Pool owners have a legal responsibility to keep the pool area safe. If you have children it is even more important to follow safety guidelines.

Injuries at the pool are extremely common. Of the children from ages 1 to 4, about one-third drowned in pools or spas.

Massachusetts has thorough pool regulations. I will take you through some of the laws and tips that homeowners need to follow in order to maintain a safe pool environment.

Pool Drains

If your children  are guests at someone else’s pool make sure you know ahead of time where the drains and suction are. Children should stay away from these areas.

If they are pulled into a suction, they can easily be entrapped with a strong force that can cause drowning or death. Prepare your child with the proper attire, no loose hair accessories or straps on a swimsuit that could get sucked in.

As of 2008, federal law requires public pools to use drain covers to reduce suction deaths. But private homeowners may not have the same requirements.

Massachusetts Injury Attorney | Fencing

Massachusetts law requires pools to be fenced in. The fence also must be at least 4 ft tall.

The law also requires that the fence have a self-closing lock that opens outward from the pool. Also, any homes that have a back door leading into a pool deck must have a pool alarm.

Watch Your Children Closely

When your kids are at the pool, give them your full attention. Drowning is the number one cause of death kids ages 1 to 4 other than birth defects according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Put your cell phone, book, and any other distractions down. It is more important to keep your eye on your children.

Many groups of adults use a smart method of electing a “pool watcher”. This person will step away from the conversation and focus only on watching over the children at the pool.

Diving Board Regulations

Diving boards can be extremely dangerous without the proper precautions. A lot of insurance companies do not allow diving boards at all.

But if you are allowed to have one there are certain rules to follow. Your diving board needs to be a certain distance from the water and a certain length.

It also matter that the deep end of your pool is at least nine feet if you have a diving board. Shallow areas of the pool should have clear signs so that no one will attempt a dive in these areas.

Massachusetts Injury Attorney | Broken Glass

When you have beer bottles or any other glass near the pool, you are at risk for serious accidents. It makes much more sense to use only plastic or metal containers by the pool.

If glass gets in the pool it can be even more of a danger. Clear glass is not visible in water and is a hazard to whoever is using the pool. The only safe solution is to drain the water and sweep out the glass.

Closing Comments

Believe it or not, these are just a few of the precautions that pool owners must take to be safe. But in the grand scheme of things they are completely worth taking the time to do.

Each year, hundreds of people drown in swimming pools across the country, and thousands are badly injured. But this can be prevented.

It is important to speak with a Massachusetts injury attorney about your situation as soon as possible.

Your legal rights during a swimming pool accident can be protected.

I have worked with countless injury cases in the past and I know how to handle your case.

We have the knowledge, resources, and expertise to win your case.

Contact us to get started.