A Tragic Reminder About Pool Safety in Central Florida

Swimming pools are woven into the fabric of everyday life in Central Florida. A warm climate and a culture built around the outdoors make backyard pools a common feature in neighborhoods throughout the region, including in Seminole County. Recent reports of a child drowning in a residential pool have been heartbreaking for many in our community, and our thoughts are with the family affected. These tragedies remind us all that water safety must be a constant commitment, not something revisited only after devastation strikes.

At Wooten, Kimbrough, Damaso, and Dennis, P.A., we have spent more than 60 years representing families throughout Orlando and the surrounding areas, including families who have experienced life-changing consequences from swimming pool accidents and other serious injuries. We know, from decades of experience, how quickly a moment of inattention can alter a family’s future. Our purpose in sharing this piece is simple: to offer information that may help protect children and families across our community.

Why Drowning Is So Dangerous for Young Children

The risk of drowning for young children in Florida is not a seasonal concern. It is a year-round reality. According to the Florida Department of Health’s Drowning Prevention program, from 2020 to 2023 combined, Florida ranked highest in the nation for unintentional drowning death rates among children ages 1 to 4. In 2023 alone, more than 500 Floridians lost their lives to unintentional drowning. For families across Central Florida, these are not distant statistics. They reflect a danger that exists in backyards and neighborhoods throughout our region.

One of the most critical things families can understand is that drowning is often silent. Unlike what movies and television typically portray, a child in distress in the water may be unable to call for help or draw attention through splashing. In many cases, drowning occurs within moments, with little visible warning. This is precisely why physical barriers, attentive supervision, and emergency preparedness are not optional precautions. They are essential ones.

A Layered Approach to Water Safety

Water safety experts consistently recommend a “layers of protection” approach, because no single measure is ever sufficient on its own. If you own a pool in Central Florida, you should also review the homeowners’ legal responsibilities for backyard pools in Florida, since property owners carry real legal obligations to maintain safe conditions for anyone who may access the property. Some of the most widely recommended protective measures include the following:

• Constant, attentive adult supervision whenever children are near water
• Four-sided pool barriers that fully separate the pool from the home and yard
• Self-closing, self-latching gates that young children cannot operate on their own
• Door and window alarms that alert adults when a child accesses the pool area
• Age-appropriate swimming lessons for children
• CPR training for parents, caregivers, and household members
• Removing pool toys and attractive objects from the pool area when not in use

Each of these layers addresses a different point of vulnerability, and together they create a meaningful safety net that can help prevent a tragedy before it happens.

Water Safety Is a Community Responsibility

Protecting children from drowning is not a responsibility that falls on parents alone. Grandparents, relatives, neighbors, childcare providers, homeowners’ associations, and community organizations all share in this commitment. Following any drowning incident, one of the most meaningful responses you can take is to evaluate your own home. Check that pool gates and latches are functioning properly, that everyone in the household understands basic water safety rules, and that adults who spend time near the pool are prepared to respond in an emergency.

When Negligence Contributes to a Pool Accident

When a pool accident results in a serious injury, Florida law places real expectations on property owners to maintain safe conditions. Premises liability claims can arise when failures in pool barriers, gate mechanisms, or adequate supervision contribute to a preventable injury. We have also addressed pool accidents at Orlando hotels and resorts where insufficient safety measures at commercial properties contributed to serious harm.

When a drowning results in a fatality, surviving family members may have grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim. These cases are among the most emotionally difficult a family will ever face, and experienced legal counsel can make a meaningful difference in both accountability and long-term support.

Wooten, Kimbrough, Damaso, and Dennis, P.A. Is Here for Central Florida Families

If your family has been affected by a pool accident or a serious water-related injury, the first and most important step is to seek immediate medical attention for the injured person. Getting the right care is always the priority above all else. Legal options and next steps can be addressed once everyone involved is safe. That commitment to the wellbeing of the people we serve has guided our firm throughout our more than 60 years of service to Central Florida families.

Our attorneys are board certified by the Florida Bar in civil trial litigation, and Wooten, Kimbrough, Damaso, and Dennis, P.A. holds the highest ranking for Orlando injury lawyers in the Best Law Firms report by U.S. News and World Report. We handle all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront costs to you. If you have questions about a pool accident or a serious injury caused by someone else’s negligence, we are here to help. Please contact us today to speak with a member of our team.