Inflatable pools are a popular choice for many families. They are small enough to fit into many yards and do not come with the larger installation costs of in-ground pools. Inflatable pools range from large pools which are closer to in-ground versions to shallow kiddie pools.
While these swimming options can be a fun way to swim in your Hollywood home, however, they are not without risks. Many pool drownings and injuries in Hollywood and across Florida are linked to inflatable swimming pools. In fact, across the country, one child sustains a fatal injury in an inflatable pool on average every five days during the summer season.
One challenge with these pools is that they do not include many of the other precautions of in-ground models. No homeowner, for example, will place a self-locking gate and a fence around a shallow kiddie pool, even though such a pool contains enough water to cause drowning.
Another challenge involves the very large inflatable pools. Many households treat them as semi-permanent, which means they stay filled with water all summer long. Children can climb up on them and if the sides sag over time children can fall right in. Since the costs of these large pools are so low, many homeowners decide the cost of a fence and gate are not worth it, especially since a self-locking gate and fence can end up costing more than the pool itself.
Preventing Injuries
Homeowners who get an inflatable pool have the same liability as in-ground pool owners when it comes to premises liability claims. For this reason, if you own an inflatable pool in Hollywood or anywhere in South Florida, treat it the same way you would an in-ground pool. Here’s how:
- Secure your pool: While a self-locking gate, fence, and alarm system are an investment, they are important for any pool—including inflatable pools of any size. You can use the gated-in area to enjoy more privacy, too. This level of protection also helps prevent children in the neighborhood from wandering into your pool area and getting injured. A fence, self-locking gate, and alarm system are the best ways to reduce the risk of premises liability claim and injuries. If you have a larger inflatable pool you keep filled, it is also a smart precaution to remove the ladder and to place it in a secured area (like a locked garage) to prevent children from accessing the pool. This does not replace the need for a fence and good gate, however.
- Always deflate smaller pools when not in use: While it can be tempting to leave shallow pools filled for pets or children, you should always deflate them and remove the water when they are not in use. Children from outside your household can wander into your yard and suffer an injury, even if there are only a few inches of water in the pool.
- Never leave children alone near a pool: Constant, undistracted supervision is the only way to truly prevent pool injuries. Leaving your child alone, even within earshot, is extremely dangerous. Child drowning can occur in just minutes and often creates no noise.
If your child has been injured in a pool accident, contact Flaxman Law Group at 1-866-352-9626 (1-866-FLAXMAN) for a free accident consultation with a Hollywood pool injury attorney. Our attorneys can help you understand whether you have a claim and can represent you if you seek compensation for medical costs, lost wages, and other losses.