Is Your Backyard Pool Truly Safe for Children?
Every summer, families across Florida flock to their backyards and community pools to cool off. But beneath the sunshine and splashes, a serious danger lurks—especially for young children. Despite public awareness efforts, child drownings remain a leading cause of accidental death in Florida, and many of these tragedies happen in backyard pools.
The Alarming Reality: Florida Leads in Child Drownings
According to the Florida Department of Health, drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 in the state. Florida consistently ranks among the top states for unintentional drowning deaths in young children. Many of these fatalities are preventable.
Most of these accidents occur at home, in familiar settings. In many cases, there was no pool fence, no locked gate, or no adult supervision—even if just for a moment.
It only takes seconds for a child to slip out a back door, climb a pool step, or fall into water unnoticed. And unlike in the movies, drowning is usually silent—there’s no splash, scream, or cry for help.
5 Crucial Pool Safety Tips Every Parent Should Follow
Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or neighbor, you play a critical role in preventing these tragedies. Here’s what you can do:
- Install a Pool Fence and Self-Latching Gate
Florida law requires a barrier around residential swimming pools, but many older homes remain out of compliance. Install a 4-foot-high fence with a self-closing, self-latching gate to keep children out when you’re not present.
- Never Leave Children Unattended
Designate a responsible adult as a “Water Watcher” any time kids are in or around the pool. This person should avoid distractions (like phones or conversations) and be focused solely on supervising swimmers.
- Use Pool Alarms and Safety Covers
Technology can be a second line of defense. Install alarms on doors leading to the pool area, and consider using surface or underwater motion detectors that alert you if someone enters the water.
- Teach Children to Swim Early
Enroll your child in swimming lessons as early as possible. While swimming skills don’t make a child “drown-proof,” they can provide a vital buffer in case of an accidental fall into water.
- Learn CPR
Knowing how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can save a life. Seconds count in a drowning emergency. Local Red Cross chapters and health departments offer regular training courses.
What If a Tragedy Happens on Someone Else’s Property?
Sometimes, even when you do everything right, injuries happen—especially if another party failed to take basic safety precautions. If your child was hurt or worse due to an unsafe pool or negligent supervision, you may be entitled to legal support.
When You Need Answers, We’re Here to Help
At Hoskins Turco Lloyd & Lloyd, we understand how devastating these incidents can be—and how critical it is to get answers. Whether the injury occurred in Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, Vero Beach, or Sebring, our experienced personal injury attorneys are here to investigate what happened and fight for justice on your family’s behalf.
If you or someone you love has been affected by a pool-related accident, don’t wait.
Call 866-930-6435 or visit hoskinsandturco.com for a free consultation. Our attorneys are ready to help you understand your rights and hold the responsible parties accountable.