How To Keep Your Child Safe When Swimming In Texas

There is no greater summer joy than watching your baby splash and play around with pure delight in the Texas sun. However, every parent knows that with all the happiness in the water there is equal responsibility to ensure that it stays that way. With Texas leading the way in why we have more backyards with pools and the State of Texas has some of the biggest waterparks in the whole United States, our State provides endless opportunities for children to cool off and have fun. Unfortunately that same state has one of the highest reports of child drownings and other pool related injuries.

At Sneed & Mitchell LLP, we care about families. This guide is written not just to inform you, but to help comfort and empower you. We want to help you every step of the way to protect your child from a tiny backyard pool in Keller or a big busy waterpark in Austin, so you can focus on creating happy times rather than worrying about what might happen.

Understanding The Dangers: The Issue of Child Drowning In Texas

The statistics for families in Texas are sobering. Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death for children ages 1 to 4, and one of the leading causes for children's deaths under age 14. In 2023 alone, Texas has seen over 80 child drownings, the majority of which are in residential pools or unsecured recreational bodies of water. These tragedies happen quickly, quietly, and in some cases—without notice.

What makes drowning especially concerning is drowning can happen quickly and quietly. Unlike the dramatic splashing and screaming we see from drowning victims in the movies, many children drown quietly and go under the water unnoticed. Most of the time, a parent or caregiver is close enough (5 to 10 feet away) to reach them, but they are distracted for just that moment.

Why Constant Supervision is Non-Negotiable

There is no level of swimming ability or piece of safety equipment that will ever take the place of active adult supervision. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that when children are in or near water, they should be within an adult's reach (e.g. arm's length). If you're at a pool party with lots of children, designate an adult to be the "Water Watcher," whose only responsibility is to look at the pool without distraction (e.g, cell phone or conversation).

Even if there are lifeguards on duty, your job as a parent is vital. Lifeguards are watching many swimmers in a large area; they may not see your child if he or she gets in trouble. The only form of safety for your child is your undivided attention.

Teaching Your Child To Understand Water and Swim Confidently

Swimming lessons can start anywhere from one-year-old onward. There are many local organizations that offer water orientation programs for parents and toddlers. The YMCA, the American Red Cross, and local swim schools in Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio all offer classes that will help introduce your child to safe behaviors in water.

The key benefit of lessons are not strictly swimming lessons, but also life-saving skills such as floating, treading water, and getting to the edge of a pool. These skills will safely arm your child with confidence and arm you with peace of mind! Selecting Flotation Devices

Although inflatable arm floaties might be cute and nice to have, they are simply not safety devices. Floaties become easily dislodged, or children thinking it is a safety device can only be left with a false sense of security. Always wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket whenever possible, especially for young children or weak swimmers.

In Texas waterparks like Schlitterbahn or Great Wolf Lodge, these life jackets are available for free. If a child is below a specified height as a requirement to ride a certain attraction, it is required to wear one. If you have questions about sizing or fit, please seek help from a lifeguard or a staff member.

Creating a Culture of Pool Safety at Home

If you are stating that you have a pool and you need to take action to secure it, it isn't only smart, it's required by many residential pool and codes. You can easily install fencing at minimum four feet high with self-closing, self-latching gates. Safely store pool toys. While not every home can afford a pool, if possible, invest in a rigid safety cover for your pool.

Set family rules for the pool and stick to them. No running. No pushing one another. No diving in shallow water. To avoid confusion, explain these rules with patience and consistently. Your child needs to understand your intention of protecting him or her, defeated the idea of punishing them!

Understanding the Texas Pool Safety Laws and Regulations

Texas laws requires residential pools to be enclosed by a barrier restricting access by children. Public and commercial pools are also required by the federal Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act. This regulation requires the use of anti-entrapment drain covers that prevent hair or body entrapment under water.

If you become familiar with these laws, you can effectively hold accountable the public pool operators! Do not be embarrassed about all the questions about drainage safety compliance measuring fence safety procedures and lifeguard certification that you may be asking.

Emergency Preparedness: Acting When Every Second Counts

The first few moments of any response after pulling a child from the water can be critical. Every parent should have CPR training. Most communities provide CPR training via Red Cross agencies, fire departments, and hospitals. Having a phone available near the pool area is also equally important. When calling 911 every second does matter.

When you cannot find a child, the first place to look is in the pool. Drowning victims can be rendered unconscious in less than 30 seconds. Having a clear head and knowing what to do can mean the difference between life and death, not to mention make a situation more manageable for everyone involved.

Sun Safety and Hydration as Part of Water Safety

In the summertime especially in Texas when the temperature often exceeds 100 degrees Fahrenheit, sun safety and water safety go almost hand-in-glove. When children participate in water play they may be exposed to dehydration or sunburn.

Encourage water breaks, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen every 90 minutes, and have your kids wear rash guard and/or swim shirt with UV protection. When visiting water parks, try to visit parks that have an abundance of shaded areas, and cooling stations. In some Texas parks such as Kalahari Resort in Round Rock, Texas and Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine, Texas you can place your family in a climate controlled environment.

Clean Water Healthy Kids: Protection Against Illnesses

If pools are not properly chlorinated they may actually contribute to killing germs that cause an illness, especially in children. Pools can also be closed for public health reasons due to diarrheal illnesses, such as cryptosporidiosis caused by contaminated water.

Teach children not to swallow pool water, to shower prior to getting into the pool, and to stay out of the water if they have had diarrhea in the past 48 hours. Reputable waterparks and public pools will post how often they check chlorine levels - and never hesitate to inquire if you have concerns.

The Best Texas Waterparks to Take Your Children to this Summer

If you’re looking for summer fun that doesn’t compromise on safety, these parks offer designated children’s areas, trained lifeguards, and child-sized attractions:

• Typhoon Texas Waterpark – Katy

• Great Wolf Lodge – Grapevine & Webster

• Schlitterbahn – New Braunfels & Galveston

• Six Flags Hurricane Harbor – Arlington & Spring

• Kalahari Resort – Round Rock

• Aquatica – San Antonio

• Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark – Grand Prairie

• Splash Shack – Cedar Park

All of these parks have shallow spaces for play, kids areas with lifeguard supervision, and family cabanas for whatever downtime you need.

Drowning Statistics for Children in Texas

The numbers are clear - and, as far as protecting your kids, safety isn't optional.

In Texas, from 2018 to 2023, there were more than 350 child drownings, with approximately 70% of these drowning incidents taking place in residential pools. Best estimates show that 80% of child drownings happened while at least 1 adult was present. The most months for fatal drownings are summer months broadly, especially the months of June and July. In 2023 specifically, at least 50% of drownings were children aged four and below. According to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, the counties with the most drownings are:

• Harris County

• Bexar County

• Dalla County

• Travis County

Clearly, these statistics highlight that safety isn't limited to just pools. Safety is cultural. Safety is educational. Safety is about caring and watching out for one another.

If You Need Assistance After An Accident: Sneed & Mitchell LLP is Here To Help

At Sneed & Mitchell LLP, we see the devastating effects of preventable accidents, but we believe in prevention, and we believe in informed and conscious parents like you. But, uou aren't alone. If your family has been involved in a water injury and you have concerns about what to do next, we are here to help. We are very experienced in representing cases that include pool negligence, lack of supervision, defective equipment, and premises liability. Consultations are always free, and we speak English and Spanish.

Call Sneed & Mitchell LLP today to let us partner with your family - because every child deserves to feel safe in the water, and every parent deserves to feel secure.

Call: (713) 800-6676 or contact us online to book your free consultation.