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Habush Habush & Rottier - Green Bay Personal Injury Lawyer

Swimming Pool Hazards

Swimming is one of America’s favorite summer past times. Everyone knows the basic pool rules and adages: No running, no horseplay, and don’t swim right after you’ve eaten. While many believe pool safety is as simple as using common sense, some pool hazards are less obvious and much more dangerous than you may expect. The dangers of an improperly covered pool drain may not seem daunting, however between 1990 and 2004, 25 people drowned due to a pool or spa drain. While this number may not be very alarming, these drowning deaths could have been easily prevented by proper pool maintenance and inspections.

Improperly covered pool drains put swimmers at risk of body entrapment and hair entrapment. Body entrapment is incredibly dangerous and occurs when a part of the body becomes trapped in the underwater drain of the pool due to the suction of the pool circulation pump. If a limb is caught in the drain, the pressure of the suction causes it to swell. The swelling of the limb makes it practically impossible for the caught person to free him or herself, holding them underwater indefinitely.

Hair entrapment is also a serious danger when pool drains are not properly covered or maintained. Individuals with longer hair are most often at risk of hair entrapment and should always be sure to secure their hair in a swim cap or bun in order to avoid having it caught in a drain. The suction of a pool pump is very strong and long hair can easily become tangled and caught by the force of the drain.

More often than not, children and young adults are the victims of improperly covered pool drains. If you or a loved one has been injured due to an uncovered or improperly covered pool drain, contact the Green Bay swimming pool injury lawyers of Habush, Habush, & Rottier at 1-800-559-5599 to schedule your free initial consultation and discuss the details of your case.