Own a Pool? Tips for Safer Splashing

It’s a sad fact that hundreds of children drown in backyard swimming pools every year. And in some warmer states, drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children under the age of five.¹ Many of these tragic events take place when young children slip away from caregivers and are able to reach the water before they are missed.

If you have a pool or spa on your property, it’s important to understand the potential for danger as well as the level of liability risk.

Take Precautions to Prevent Injuries

• Create barriers to entry. Completely surround the pool area on four sides using a fence with self-closing and/or locked gates. If the house serves as one side of the enclosure, install alarms on doors that open to the pool area to prevent children from entering unnoticed. A locking cover is also an effective means of protection. Check with your municipality or town, which probably has its own safety standards and building codes that apply to backyard pools and hot tubs.
• Be vigilant about supervising children. Do not leave toys floating in the pool between uses; they tend to lure toddlers to the edge where they can easily fall while reaching into the water. Also direct swimmers away from pool filters and drain covers; the suction can cause injuries or possibly hold them under the surface. Never leave small children unsupervised because disaster can strike in seconds.
• Secure the pool area. Remove glass bottles, toys, and other potential hazards from the pool area and don’t allow running or roughhousing on or near wet, slippery surfaces. Make sure that devices with electrical cords are kept away from the water.
• Limit alcohol use. Drinking can hamper a person’s balance, coordination, and judgment. Exposure to the sun and heat can intensify the effects of alcohol and increase the chances of an injury.
• Become a lifeguard! Learn water rescue skills, basic first aid, and CPR. Ask all pool guests whether they know how to swim, and keep a close eye on weak swimmers. Always keep a first-aid kit, reaching poles, and ring buoys near the pool.

Face Up to Liability Risks

Insurance companies consider the presence of a pool to be an “attractive nuisance,” and the additional risk may call for greater liability protection. Most homeowners policies include at least $100,000 worth of liability coverage. Even so, pool owners may want to increase their policy limits to $300,000 or $500,000, or possibly purchase an umbrella liability policy that could provide extra protection for a wider range of risks (including auto accidents). You should also have enough homeowners coverage to repair or replace your pool if it is damaged in a severe storm or other type of disaster.

All types of pools and spas hold the potential for danger, which is why homeowners should comply with local safety standards, take all steps necessary to safeguard their families and guests, and make sure they are adequately insured.

1) U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 2011

The information in this article is not intended as tax or legal advice, and it may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. You are encouraged to seek tax or legal advice from an independent professional advisor. The content is derived from sources believed to be accurate. Neither the information presented nor any opinion expressed constitutes a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. This material was written and prepared by Emerald. © 2011 Emerald Connect, Inc.