Owning a pool can make you the most popular person on the block, but your cool oasis can become a huge liability in the event of an accident on your property. Know the state and local laws for your areas as well as any stipulations in your homeowners policy in order to keep yourself protected if the unthinkable happens.
Did you know that there are close to 4,000 unintentional drownings per year in the US? Drowning is actually the leading cause of preventable death in children under 5 years old. The majority of swimming related deaths and accidents can be prevented with simple adult supervision but there are still other steps you can take to protect your friends and family while swimming in your pool.
Build A Fence:
While there are often no state laws requiring you to secure your pool area, many local municipalities, homeowners associations and home insurance policies will have rules about fencing including the height of the fence and how far it is from the actual pool. A pool fence should open outward and be self-closing and self-latching.
Add An Alarm System:
You can add an alarm to the pool fence or under the water inside the pool itself that will alert you of any unauthorized use of your pool. The pool alarms are so effective that the state of Tennessee has made them mandatory, so you should consider getting one.
Ditch The Diving Board:
Diving boards are at the core of many pool related accidents and fatalities as you can slip and hit your head on the board. It’s safer to go without them or have them removed if you already have one. Pool slides are also unsafe for a home pool.
Rescue Equipment:
Have a first aid kid and rescue devices at the ready in a clearly marked and highly visible location. Rescue devices include life rings, life tubes and rescue hooks. Check on your equipment once a month to make sure it’s in good shape and the first aid kit is fully stocked. It would also be a good idea for all adults to become CPR certified as CPR can save the life of a drowning victim.
If you follow these safety tips you can greatly reduce the risk of accident or fatality. We urge you to check your homeowners policy and make any upgrades necessary to cover you in the event of a lawsuit. Your homeowners policy should include coverage for pool use.