Understand first that your backyard pool is part of the community.
It's easy to assume that since your pool is in your lawn, you needn't worry about anyone else.
Unfortunately, liability sees things differently.
Most states have specific laws about fencing off your pool, and your responsibility for people's safety even when they are guests is paramount.
This article is here to explore good pool safety habits and ways to avoid legal culpability should someone be on your property and get hurt.
The Fence Law If you own a pool, or are considering getting one, be certain to investigate the pool laws in your city and state.
Most areas require a fence be put in so as to avoid children and animals wandering onto your property and getting stuck in your pool.
Some regions even require a 6 foot fence be put in.
The information you want at your disposal is how high the fence has to be, if there is a requirement for what kind of materials it can be made from, and if it must have a locking gate.
If you overlook this key aspect, the rest of the safety tips in this article won't help you.
Guidelines For Pool Use No one is saying you have to be a tyrant when you have guests over to use your pool, but making sure everyone knows how to behave might save you trouble in the long run.
It's easy to assume that since your pool is in your lawn, you needn't worry about anyone else.
Unfortunately, liability sees things differently.
Most states have specific laws about fencing off your pool, and your responsibility for people's safety even when they are guests is paramount.
This article is here to explore good pool safety habits and ways to avoid legal culpability should someone be on your property and get hurt.
The Fence Law If you own a pool, or are considering getting one, be certain to investigate the pool laws in your city and state.
Most areas require a fence be put in so as to avoid children and animals wandering onto your property and getting stuck in your pool.
Some regions even require a 6 foot fence be put in.
The information you want at your disposal is how high the fence has to be, if there is a requirement for what kind of materials it can be made from, and if it must have a locking gate.
If you overlook this key aspect, the rest of the safety tips in this article won't help you.
Guidelines For Pool Use No one is saying you have to be a tyrant when you have guests over to use your pool, but making sure everyone knows how to behave might save you trouble in the long run.
- First, be certain everyone knows how to enter and exit the water safely.
You'll want to make sure that any ladders are secured properly so as not to flip or pull off the pool wall while in use.
If you have a diving board, check it regularly for structural integrity so that it does not snap in mid-use. - Keep the area around the swimming pool as clear of debris as possible and be sure to advise a no-running policy.
Slipping by the edge of the pool is especially dangerous because the individual may lose consciousness when hitting then ground and then slip into the water. - Be aware of swimmers vs non-swimmers among your guests and family
- Be certain that everyone knows whether or not you have a deep end of the pool and if it is safe for diving.
Diving into a shallow or underfilled pool can cause trauma when hitting the bottom. - Utilize various barriers, including fences, door alarms leading to the pool, and power safety covers.
- For above ground pools, remove ladders when not in use.
- 75% of submersion victims are children between the ages of 1-3
- At the time of incident, most victims have had supervision in the general vicinity
- Child drowning is often silent as they sink before they have the chance to splash around
- Boys and men are more likely to suffer from injury and death than women and young girls