Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers | October 31, 2025 | Premises Liability
The risk of drowning is greater than most people realize. A person can drown in as little as 20 seconds in some instances. This means you have very little time to respond when someone becomes endangered in the water.
Drowning is a particularly serious threat to children. According to the CDC, drowning is the leading cause of death for children four and under in the U.S., with over 4,000 drowning deaths every year.
To prevent child drowning, swimming pool owners need to take precautions. One option is to install a drowning alarm, but you might wonder whether they actually work.
What Are Pool Alarms For Kids?
Pool alarms are electronic devices that warn swimming pool owners when the surface of their swimming pool is broken, even when it isn’t being monitored. This warning prompts the owner to check the pool to determine whether anyone is drowning.
These devices aren’t active at all times. Instead, they’re deactivated while people are intentionally using the pool. Otherwise, they would sound every time someone went into the water.
Alarms for pools can’t tell you whether someone is drowning or even whether a person has entered your pool — they can only inform you that the surface of the water was broken at a time when it shouldn’t have been. You’ll need to check for yourself to see if anyone is in danger.
Are Pool Alarms Effective?
Pool alarms can be effective, but they shouldn’t be relied on as a primary method of preventing drowning. Even if the alarm detects someone entering your pool, it’s up to you to respond appropriately. If you aren’t home or you’re in a part of your house that’s far from the pool, you may not hear the alarm in time to prevent a child from drowning.
Some alarms are designed to send alerts to phones or automatically contact 911. While this increases the likelihood that someone will respond, it may still not be enough.
Furthermore, no alarm is perfect. If the device is located too far from where someone enters, it may not detect that the water surface has been disturbed. Additionally, some alarms may malfunction and activate without being triggered.
Should You Use A Pool Alarm To Prevent Drowning?
Using a pool alarm as your only defense against child drowning is ill-advised. These devices should be used in conjunction with other measures, like fences, gates, and active monitoring during swimming. This multi-method approach doesn’t just prevent children from being harmed — it can also protect you from a premises liability claim if someone gets hurt in your pool by accident.
Moreover, since the alarm is off when the pool is in use, you’ll need to implement additional safety protocols. For example, you should place towels or other non-slip surfaces around the pool deck to prevent slip and fall accidents. The more steps you take, the safer you and any children will be when in or near your pool.
Contact Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers For A Free Consultation With A Prince George’s County Premises Liability Lawyer
No parent ever wants to imagine the unthinkable — a child getting hurt in a place that should feel safe. If your family is dealing with the aftermath of a pool-related injury or accident, you don’t have to navigate this alone. The team at Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers understands the devastating impact of these accidents. We’re here to listen, answer your questions, and help you explore your legal options with care and compassion.
For more information, please contact Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a confidential consultation with a personal injury lawyer. Our team is available to assist clients in Lanham, Frederick, Rockville, Waldorf, Annapolis, and Lexington Park, Maryland.
We proudly serve Charles County, Prince George County its surrounding areas. Visit our law offices at:
Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers – Waldorf Office
8 Post Office Rd Waldorf, MD 20602
(301) 932-9997
Available 24/7
Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers – Lanham Office
4600 Forbes Blvd Ste #200 Lanham, MD 20706
(301) 936-0011
Available 24/7