Summer offers the perfect opportunity to enjoy the refreshing embrace of a pool, providing a sanctuary for fun in the sun. As inviting as backyard pools are, it is crucial for owners to understand the responsibilities that come with them. It is essential owners are aware of the legal liabilities should any accidents occur.
Under Florida law, a pool is considered an attractive nuisance. That means something that a child is likely to be attracted to. There are many general safety precautions you can take to ensure your friends and family enjoy your pool safely.
Top Pool Safety Tips for Liability Prevention
- Teach pool rules to your children and guests and post them in a highly visible location.
- Install a fence with self-locking and self-closing gates to completely isolate your pool from your house and the areas around it.
- Do not leave children or any guests alone- in an emergency, they might need your assistance.
- Remove all toys and floatation devices from the pool when not in use. Flotation devices can block your view of the water, and children reaching for toys and floats can fall into the pool.
- Consider an alarm on exterior doors and gates that lead to the pool and a surface water alarm on the pool.
- Always keep rescue equipment near the pool.
- Make certain that any pool accessories, such as diving boards, basketball hoops, and slides are securely fastened and in good repair to prevent them from becoming loose or breaking.
- It is the owner’s responsibility to conduct regular inspections and maintenance on pool attachments to ensure they remain safe and functional.
- Regularly test and balance the pool water using appropriate chemicals.
Keep a Special Eye Out for Children
While it may seem obvious to supervise children when swimming, it is startling to note that 88% of child drownings occur with an adult present. It is easy to become complacent when children are safely playing in the yard or indoors. However, the dynamics change with a pool. A pool demands vigilant, active supervision, as emergencies can occur swiftly without warning. To address this, we have established a set of active supervision guidelines for pool areas.
- Remember that children are considered innocent by the law, so they cannot be held negligent.
- No one should ever swim alone.
- Leave your phone inside, removing the temptation of getting sucked into your screen.
- Remember, when a child falls in the water it is silent, do not assume you will hear a splash or commotion. It happens quickly and silently.
- Never assume parents are watching their own children, there needs to be a designated watcher at all times.
- Before swimming, make sure you have all valuables you need with you, so you are not tempted to run back inside to grab snacks, sunscreen, etc.
- Consider safety nets and pool covers that are designed as barriers to block uninvited children and animals from the exposed open water.
- If the adult must leave the pool area, everyone must leave the pool area.
Does Homeowners’ Insurance Cover Swimming Pools?
Because pools are associated with increased liability exposures, having proper insurance coverage is essential. A homeowners’ insurance policy may cover a swimming pool and related liability claims, but you will need to list the pool on your policy for this coverage to exist.
A pool injury can result in very expensive lawsuits. The Insurance Information Institute (III) recommends potentially increasing your liability coverage. You can do this by raising the liability limits in your homeowners’ policy. You can also purchase an umbrella insurance policy to provide additional liability protection.
Connect with an Acentria Insurance agent today about your pool and make sure you have the proper coverage. Our team is here for YOU, so you can enjoy the summer with peace of mind.
