Because of faulty electrical wiring in a swimming pool, a 7-year-old Miami boy was killed earlier this spring.

Indiana Electric Cooperatives urges pool owners to have their pool’s electrical system checked by a qualified, licensed electrician to keep swimmers safe this summer and to reduce the risk of electrocution.

“Electricity and water don’t mix,” said Rick Coons, CEO of Indiana Electric Cooperatives. “We hear this all the time, but it’s so important to think beyond this simple statement. We need to take extra precautions to keep our families safe.”

Following the tragic pool incident in Miami, the CBS affiliate there reported that most pools built before 1984 have 120-volt underwater lights. Miami-based master electrician Walter Sanders suggested that if pool owners find their system is operating at 120 volts, they should have a transformer installed to step down the voltage to 12 volts.

Simple measures can go a long way in preventing injuries. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission provides the following tips for pool-side safety:

• Know where all the electrical switches and circuit breakers for pool equipment and lights are located and how to turn them off in an emergency.
• Make sure all electrical wires and junction boxes are kept at least five feet away from water. They should not be within reach of anyone who is in the pool.
• Install ground fault circuit interrupters on underwater lighting circuits that are 15 volts or greater, on all electrical circuits around pools and hot tubs, and on all outdoor receptacles within 20 feet of the water’s edge. GFCIs are the best device to prevent electrocution.
• Test GFCIs monthly to ensure continuous protection. Always wear shoes while testing.
• Consider using battery-operated appliances instead of cord-connected appliances around pools.
• Refrain from swimming during or right after thunderstorms. If you hear thunder roar, go indoors.

Electrical hazards around a pool can lead to multiple deaths or injuries since water is a conductor of electricity.

For instance, in 2002, a 14-year-old girl was electrocuted because of wiring problems in a pool’s underwater lights. A nearby teen jumped into the pool to try to save the girl and was seriously shocked because the water was charged with electricity.

The CPSC recommends posting an emergency plan by the pool advising what to do if someone comes into contact with electricity. The first step should be to turn off all power, then call 9-1-1. A fiberglass shepherd’s hook (a non-conductive device) should be kept near the pool and be used to pull the victim from the water, before giving him or her rescue breaths or CPR (if there are no signs of circulation).

“Swimming is not the only summertime activity that presents electrical hazards,” said Coons. “We encourage parents to talk to their children about avoiding power lines when flying kites or climbing trees and staying away from transformers when playing in the yard.”

Make safety a priority to make the most of these long summer days.