Are Hotel Pools Safe? Read This Before You Jump In…

Across Florida, swimming pools, hot tubs, and water features such as slides or lazy rivers are common amenities at hotels and resorts, offering guests a relaxing way to escape the heat. However, several hidden dangers may lurk in and around hotel pools—particularly those that are not maintained properly.

While it can be difficult to resist the allure of a sparkling hotel pool, consider the following risks before you jump in:

• Waterborne illness. A report issued by the CDC in 2018 revealed an alarming statistic: an estimated one in three swimming-related disease outbreaks can be traced to hotel pools. Specifically, a parasite called Cryptosporidium(also known as “Crypto”), and bacteria called Pseudomonas and Legionella are responsible for most waterborne illnesses. Crypto, which can cause several weeks of stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, cannot be easily killed with chlorine. Legionella, which can cause severe pneumonia and flu-like symptoms, and pseudomonas, which can cause a rash and swimmer’s ear, are more commonly found in pools and hot tubs that have not been properly cleaned and sanitized. While the illnesses caused by these microorganisms may be risky for swimmers of all ages, they could potentially lead to serious health complications or even death in small children, older adults, and those with compromised immune systems.
• Drowning. According to the CDC, an average of 11 people die each day in the U.S. due to drowning. While children face the greatest risk, no one—including experienced swimmers—is immune from drowning. The risk of both fatal and nonfatal drownings may be even higher at hotel pools, where crowds can make it more difficult to supervise children, people who are not accustomed to swimming may spend time in the water, adults may be more likely to consume alcohol, and various other factors. Most hotels do not have lifeguards on duty, so guests are advised to swim at their own risk.
• Slip-and-fall accidents. With many dripping wet swimmers walking around, the patio surrounding the pool—and even walkways leading into the hotel—can quickly become slippery and sandy, thereby creating a serious hazard. Falls on these surfaces can result in a variety of injuries, from lacerations and broken bones to head and spinal cord injuries.

These are just a few of the common risks that may be found in and around hotel pools, hot tubs, and other water features. If you or a loved one has become sick or injured at a hotel pool, it’s important to know that hotels have a duty to maintain all areas of their properties in a reasonably safe condition and to warn guests about known hazards; if they breach these duties, they may be held liable for guest injuries. To determine if the hotel you visited may be liable in your case, schedule a consultation with the experienced personal injury attorneys at Leighton Panoff Law by calling 888.988.1774 today!