11 Indicators of an Unsafe Swimming Pool

Whenever water is involved in any kind of activity it’s important to exercise more caution than usual. Water can be an added hazard, especially if certain risk factors exist in the vicinity and/or the activity participants are not strong swimmers. Pool owners and managers, both private and public, are required to abide by certain safety standards in regard to the upkeep of the pool itself as well as the surrounding areas. While accidents can certainly occur in an otherwise safe swimming pool, certain factors could increase the risk of severe or even fatal injuries.

11 signs that a swimming pool might be unsafe include:

1. Defective or broken equipment in or around the pool
2. Unmarked or improperly marked depths
3. Lack of safety signs or lack of adequate safety signs
4. Lack of adequate safety equipment
5. Poor lighting
6. Improperly trained pool staff
7. Damaged, defective, or absent ladders
8. Slippery surfaces surrounding the pool
9. Lack of adult supervision
10. Defective or improperly sized flotation devices
11. Alcohol or drug use in the vicinity

Unsafe swimming pools pose serious hazards.

It’s important to keep in mind that swimming pool accidents can result in serious injuries. From head injuries sustained from slip-and-falls to brain injuries from oxygen deprivation and even death, these are just a few of the injuries that can occur in an unsafe swimming environment.

Whoever is in charge of maintaining the swimming pool could be liable for any injuries that occur as a result of inadequate maintenance, including public swimming pools and even homeowners. Installing safety mechanisms such as fences, gates, signage, and easy-to-access safety equipment can help reduce liability and protect pool-goers from serious injury.

If you were injured in an unsafe swimming pool, take pictures.

In any scenario where an injury occurs due to unsafe conditions, it’s important to collect evidence as soon as possible. For example, if a ladder was broken or signage was missing from the area, it’s important to take pictures of these factors immediately following the event to avoid the condition disappearing if the liable party takes measures to correct the hazardous condition. It’s also important to seek medical care immediately following an accident, even if an injury seems minor.

Some injuries can take days, weeks, or even months to surface, but without a medical record from the time of the incident, it may be difficult to prove when and how the injury occurred. This is often true of head injuries where the brain may have been damaged but may not become symptomatic until later. It’s important to take action when unsafe conditions in or around a swimming pool or other premises lead to injury; seeking legal protection and recovery can help protect future visitors from suffering the same injuries.

To learn more about safe swimming pool requirements or to learn about your options for recovery after a swimming pool accident, reach out to a premises liability attorney in your area.