Enjoying a cool splash in the pool with friends on a hot summer day is certainly an excellent way to spend time. And when you are inviting a group of people over to do so, that makes it even better. Property owners have an obligation to ensure those New Jersey summer pool parties are safe for everyone who attends. To do that, you need to think about the worst that can happen.
Pools are dangerous in situations where people become careless. Whether you are the owner planning the event or someone planning to attend an event, it is essential that you know how to prevent accidental drownings at a pool party. And then, speak with a New Jersey drowning accident lawyer from Kwartler Manus about your case.
Create a Plan that Prevents Accidental Drowning
The non-profit organization, Stop Drowning Now, recommends a three-step plan for minimizing risks associated with accidental drownings. Put in place, this kid-friendly plan can help you feel more confident when hosting a New Jersey summer pool party (even one that is nothing but adults). They call this the Safer 3.
Safer Water
The first step is to recognize all water on the property and how it can be worrisome and even life-threatening. Your pool is the obvious element here. But if you have a stream in the backyard, a hot tub, or even the bathtub, it is important to know there are risks.
The next step is to make sure there is a barrier in place that prevents children, especially, from accessing those high-risk areas. For example, installing fencing around the backyard pool helps minimize the risk of uninvited visitors falling in, including children who may be unsupervised. Pool-specific barriers and tension alarms on pools can also prove to be a valuable resource.
Even if your event is all adults, if there is alcohol involved, fencing around your pool minimizes the risk of someone getting into it without the help they may need. As a property owner, this is a must-investment.
Safer Kids
If you are hosting the neighborhood kids for a summer pool party in New Jersey, you also need to consider teaching, explaining, and monitoring the kids. That includes educating parents who are also in attendance about the risks. Remember that there is no way to create a "drown-proof" situation, but you can enhance safety with a few steps:
- Always ensure supervision of anyone in the pool. The most important rule here is that whoever is supervising needs to always have their eyes on the pool, not on their phone.
- Teach swim skills. If your own children have not had swim lessons, invest in them. Not only does this teach a child how to swim, but it also helps teach strategies for avoiding dangerous drowning situations. If your guests have not had lessons, request that they do or recognize this as an added risk that you, as the property owner, need to monitor for throughout their visit.
- Create rules for everyone. Adults or kids, make sure they know the rules. No pretending to drown someone or striking someone in the pool. Make sure there are clear expectations about jumping in the pool. These rules protect everyone.
As the property owner, it is up to you to make the rules, practice them yourself, and be sure that everyone else does the same. Many times, accidental drowning occurs as a result of missed opportunities, such as someone struggling with footing without being noticed. Not everyone splashes when they slip under the water.
Safer Response
The third element is to be ready to act when drowning occurs. A safer response is a critical resource for property owners, whether you are planning a summer pool party or not. You need to have a proven, practiced method for responding to an emergency situation so everyone knows how to respond and take action. There are several elements to this process:
- Be certified in CPR. There is no more important element to protecting the lives of those who use your pool. Make sure you keep that certification up to date.
- Be able to provide first aid immediately. First aid includes treating falls, lacerations, and broken bones.
- Know how to recognize the signs of someone struggling in the water. A person struggling is nearly always silent and may be vertical. They may be unable to ask for or wave for help. A person who is bobbing up and down and not making forward progress is likely at risk.
Take your job of hosting a summer pool party in New Jersey seriously. Invest the time in safety and training so that no one else loses their life in the process of having fun. Unfortunately, that's a very real risk with thousands of people dying every year in pool-related accidents.
Know When You Have the Right to Act After Loss
If your loved one lost their life or suffered injuries at a summer pool party where the owner failed to take action, let us help you. At Kwartler Manus, we provide you with legal support when people fail to keep their property safe. Contact us for a free consultation.
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