What Are Potential Swimming Pool Electrical Hazards?

There is no better way to survive the hot summer temperatures than to spend the day lounging by or swimming in a pool. Before you ever dip into the water, you should be sure that you understand a few basic tenets of swimming safety.

Children should always be supervised by attentive adults, and swimming in areas with active lifeguards is typically safest. Backyard pools should be gated and locked so that children cannot easily access the water. Any children who are unable to swim should be with an adult, and you may also consider using U.S. Coast Guard-approved floats for kids who are especially young or struggling to learn how to swim.

Drowning and other swimming injuries are not always caused by insufficient swimming skills, though. Other dangerous hazards can cause serious or even fatal injuries to swimmers who are otherwise just trying to avoid the hot Illinois summer.

Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio, LLP have compiled information that can prove as an invaluable guide to identifying and preventing electrical hazards near and in swimming pools.

Sources of Electricity in Pools

You already know how important it is to keep electrical devices (especially those that are plugged in) away from bodies of water. Maybe you always take care to unplug your hairdryer or straightener before setting it down on your bathroom counter, or always plug in your toaster far away from your kitchen sink.

It may surprise you to learn that there are some electrical devices that are made to be used in water. More specifically, in swimming pools. Whether public or in a backyard, the average pool might rely on:

• Electrical lights attached to the pool’s walls underneath the water
• Pumps that circulate water and cleaning chemicals
• Filter systems that sift out debris or other impurities
• Vacuums that trail along the bottom of the pool to remove debris and foreign objects

When functioning properly, these electrical devices help a pool remain clean and safe for swimmers. Depending on the location and resources of the pool owner, a pool might have all of these devices or just one or two.

Like anything that uses electrical components, lights, pumps, filters, vacuums, and other electrical pool devices can break down over time. Pool owners should have a pool expert perform a thorough inspection of all electrical components at least once a year to check for potential electrical shock hazards.

Not all swimming pool electrical hazards are directly related to devices used for pool cleanliness and upkeep. Other hazards include:

• Extension cords
• Poolside radios or TVs
• Nearby electrical outlets
• Overhead power lines

Although changing certain fixtures like overhead powerlines and electrical outlets may be out of a pool owner’s control, they can still reduce electrocution risks for swimmers by moving other electrical devices as far away from the pool and water as possible.

Signs of Electric Shock Drowning

Electric shock drowning (ESD) can occur when electrical systems leak their electrical currents into bodies of water, like swimming pools. When an electrical current in the water passes through a swimmer, it can cause paralysis, which leads to drowning.

There are sometimes signs of electrical shock prior to ESD. If you experience any of the following symptoms, get out of the water immediately, preferably without using a metal ladder as it may increase your likelihood of electrical shock:

• Tingling sensations
• Muscle cramps
• Inability to move
• Feelings of being held in place by an unseen force

If you are not in the water, you may notice the following behaviors in swimmers:

• Panicked or unsettled behavior without an obvious cause
• Motionless swimmers
• Swimmers rapidly moving away from a motionless swimmer or a specific area
• Swimmers complaining of tingling or strange sensations
• Flickering underwater lights

Time is of the essence when an electrical current is leaking into a pool. If a pool owner, lifeguard, property manager, or anyone else notices signs of electrical hazards, they should shut down the power immediately and then call 911. Turning off the power will protect victims who have already been shocked from further harm, and will also protect emergency responders who will need to venture into the water for rescue and recovery operations.

We suggest taking the following action if you are in a pool and suspect there is an electrical hazard:

• Call out to the lifeguard, homeowner, or other responsible parties to shut off the power
• Steadily move away from the source or wherever the electrical hazard appears to be
• Exit the water promptly, preferably without touching metal

Swimming Pool Electrical Hazards Can Kill

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported 33 swimming pool electrocution deaths between 2002 and 2017. Another 33 people suffered swimming electrocution injuries over that same time period.

To prevent unnecessary injuries and death, experts suggest that pool owners employ qualified electricians to regularly inspect, upgrade, repair, and replace electrical devices. All pool owners should know how to shut off power in the event of an emergency. Lifeguards and anyone else who works at a public or privately owned pool should be instructed on how to safely turn off the power.

Experts also advise that it is safer to use battery-operated TVs, stereos, radios, and other appliances near pools. Corded appliances that plug into outlets pose a greater swimming pool electrical risk when used near bodies of water. When you cannot use battery-operated appliances, you should keep all appliance cords and extension cords at least six feet away from any sources of water.

For some families, this information may be too little too late. The impacts of a swimming electrocution injury may last a lifetime. Unfortunately, many victims do not survive electric shock drowning.

Whether you need compensation for your own recovery or are interested in pursuing justice on behalf of a lost loved one, Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio, LLP can help. We understand that this is perhaps the most difficult experience of your life, and we work hard to provide compassionate guidance to every one of our clients.

We will collect all the necessary facts and evidence to prove liability, which is the cornerstone of any personal injury or wrongful death claim. The details necessary to demonstrate that a property owner was negligent can be sensitive in cases like this, so we make sure our clients feel compassion and understanding in every one of our actions.

You have only two years from the date of an accident to file a premises liability claim. While this might feel like a long period of time, it will pass by much more quickly than you realize. Do not delay in taking action—contact us today to schedule your free case evaluation.