Pool safety tips for the summer

By: ABC57 Staff

Posted: May 25, 2014 12:22 AM EDT | Updated: Nov 6, 2014 2:00 AM EDT

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Two days ago, a 7-year-old boy died after being electrocuted at a public swimming pool. Police are investigating whether a broken pool light could have been the cause. Now, water safety experts are warning parents to be extra careful when taking their family to the pool.

Penn Township Fire Division Chief Al Kirsits has over 30 years of water rescue experience. He says it's important to get your wires checked and to always have an adult present.

“Some of that is with electricity. Is your pool pumped grounded properly? If it’s an in-ground pool and you have a light there’s been a lot lately with these lights that corrode away and cause an electrical hazard with the water," said Kirsits.

Kirsits said you should know CPR in case there is an accident.

You should also have on hand a shepherd's hook to pull a drowning victim to safety and a portable floating device.

“I’m a little cautious about everything, especially with my son,” said parent Scott Penter.

He says he avoids private pools all together.

Eric Kazmierzak is a father to two toddlers and says he learned a lot from the tragic accident in Florida.

“I will take a look into it because I do have a light inside my pool and I want to make sure that my kids are safe when it comes to electricity around the water,” says Kazmierzak.