Simple Tips for Pool Safety

Co-authored by Jacob Exline of The Collins Law Firm, P.C.

The sun is starting to come out and people are beginning to have more fun outside, but behind the scenes people are still working to make sure your summer is safe and injury-free. With the passing of Memorial Day, pools in Illinois are officially open. However, this is only possible when each of the 952 city-owned pools¹ passes a health and safety inspection and secures a license. These inspections are conducted once a year by the Illinois Department of Public Health.¹ However, despite state regulations and inspections, pools remain a source of serious injuries and deaths every summer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 10 people die from unintentional drowning every day—2 of these 10 people are children ages 14 or younger.² These figures are an important reminder to make sure, that the pools you use this summer are safe. To limit the risk of injuries, make sure to:

• Check that the pool you visit this summer has an up-to-date license.
• Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards.
• Know the depth of the pool.

• Never swim alone! Even experienced or strong swimmers might need help.
• Avoid diving in areas not specifically designated for diving.
• Keep away from pool drains, pipes, or other openings to avoid entrapments.
• Learn how to swim. A “quick dip” can turn into an accident if you do not know how to swim.
• Learn CPR. It’s a life-saving skill, literally.

Paying attention to these simple tips will help to create a safe and fun summer for you and your family.

1 The News Gazette – “How the State Regulates Pools” (May 25, 2015)

2 Center for Disease Control and Prevention – “Unintentional Drowning: Get the Facts” (October 24, 2014)