Be Safe in Massachusetts Pools This Summer

By Breakstone, White & Gluck | July 26, 2010

The warm weather is here and that means many Massachusetts residents can be found poolside. The pool is a fun spot for all ages, but it also poses safety risks. These risks can be reduced by the use of good judgment and common sense.

We want you and your loved ones to be safe. Sadly, each year, more than 300 children under 5 years old drown in residential swimming pools – often pools belonging to their own family. More than 2,000 children the same age are treated in hospital emergency rooms for pool-related injuries.

Here are common sense safety tips to help keep your family safe around the swimming pool:

  • Learn CPR and make sure babysitters and older siblings have CPR training.
  • Do not allow children to swim without supervision, even if they have attended swimming lessons.
  • If a child is missing, check the pool first. Seconds count in preventing death or disability.
  • Install a fence or barrier around your pool. The fence should be at least 4 feet high and have a self-closing, self-latching gate.
  • If the fence is chain link, then no part of the diamond-shaped opening should be larger than 1-3/4 inches.
  • Install a pool alarm to alert an adult when someone enters the pool area unauthorized. A key pad switch alarm allows adults to pass through without setting off the alarm.
  • Keep rescue equipment and a phone with emergency numbers by the pool.
  • If there are multiple adults at the pool, designate one person the pool-watcher to avoid distractions.
  • Ladders leading from the pool to the ground or to a pool deck should be locked or removed when the pool is out of use.
  • Remove toys that may attract children from in and around the pool when they are not in use.


Breakstone, White & Gluck is a Boston personal injury law firm that seeks to protect Massachusetts residents through education. Our Boston personal injury lawyers have over 80 years combined experience in complex personal injury cases, including drownings, pool-related accidents and premises liability.

If you need to speak to a Boston personal injury attorney about a case, we can be reached at (617) 723-7676 or through our online form.

Posted in Personal Injury, Premises Liability, Swimming Pool Accidents and tagged , ,