Abstract
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission sponsored us to perform a human factors evaluation of existing swimming pool warning signs. Our study covered warnings which convey the messages “NO DIVING” and “WATCH CHILDREN”. These warnings are particularly intended to reduce the incidence of diving accidents involving teenage boys and drowning accidents involving children under five; population groups that are over-represented in accident statistics. Our evaluation of twenty-two existing signs uncovered deviations from warning sign design principles and identified opportunities to improve each of the signs. Following the evaluation, we developed improved signs and tested them using teenage boys and mothers of young children as subjects. We then made final recommendations to the CPSC for improved signs.
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