Charlotte Injury Lawyers Blog
Water Safety in North Carolina
North Carolina has a multitude of water activities and sports available to residents and visitors. We have rivers, lakes, and the ocean, with beaches and pools, for swimming, boating, and other water recreational activities. Although the water is fun for all ages, it can also be dangerous. In an effort to prevent drownings and water-related injuries, North Carolina Governor Stein proclaimed May National Water Safety Month. There are different types of dangers for various water activities.
Pools and Water Parks
Drowning is a potential danger at private and public pools as well as water parks. Young children are particularly vulnerable, as well as anyone who does not know how to swim. Children must be supervised at all times. Do not rely on a lifeguard to watch your kids while they are in the water. Use safety devices with kids, but remember that they are not a substitute for watching children while they are in or around the water. Keep kids away from drains in pools, as they can have strong suction.
Boating and Swimming on Lakes
Boating and swimming on lakes or rivers bring different hazards. Boaters should always wear life jackets anytime they are on the water. Impairment is a common problem with boating. Make sure that the boat operator does not consume any alcohol or drugs, and ensure that they have proper training and experience. Don’t go out on a lake or river alone, and stay on the shore if the weather forecast indicates rain, wind, or foggy conditions. Be aware of debris in the water, especially after storms or floods.
Ocean Safety
The ocean offers a wonderful respite, but there are some potential hazards to be aware of before you go. Undercurrents may occur at times near the shoreline. These are also called riptides or undertows. Water can pull a swimmer out towards the ocean with a strong force, making it impossible to swim back. If caught in a riptide, don’t panic. Flip onto your back to conserve energy, float along to assess the situation, and follow the current. When you get out of the main pull of the water, you will be able to swim parallel to the land to get you back to shore.
General Water Safety Tips
There are many tips that you can use to keep you and your family safe around water. Supervision of children is essential in keeping kids of all ages safe. Teach children how to swim so they can safely be around water. Make sure to keep small children in the kiddie pool areas or the shallow end. When at the beach, pay attention to hazard warnings and only swim in designated beach areas. Always wear life jackets while in a boat. Adults should learn CPR and should always have a working phone available in case they need to call for help. The North Carolina Department of Public Safety provides additional summer water safety tips.
Unfortunately, water accidents are often life-threatening. If you or a loved one was the victim of a water accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be owed compensation for your damages. To learn more, call us today at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, at (704) 370-2828 to request a free initial consultation with our legal team.
The skilled personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to maximizing the financial recovery and obtaining justice for every personal injury client injured by another party’s negligence. The issues our personal injury clients may be facing include, but are not limited to, slip and fall injuries, wrongful death, product liability, catastrophic injuries, dog bite claims, car and truck accident injuries, motorcycle injuries, traumatic brain injury (TBI), nursing home negligence, spinal cord injury, boating accidents, and defective medical device injury. Our personal injury attorneys understand the devastating impact such an injury can have on a person’s life, and that the effects so often go beyond physical pain and suffering. The personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to helping clients determine the strength of their claims, and to aggressively pursuing the means necessary to achieve the best possible end result for each client’s particular situation.
Source:
https://governor.nc.gov/governor-stein-proclaims-national-water-safety-month
https://www.ncdps.gov/blog/2023/07/31/summer-water-safety
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