With the warm weather quickly approaching, we all get that same urge when the sun comes out. It's either firing up the BBQ or beating the heat by diving into the nearest body of water, like a lake or a pool. Now, if you're one of the coolest people on your block, pun intended, then you've most likely got both in your backyard. However, when you're uncovering the pool for the season, have you made sure to check all your bases to ensure you and your loved ones will be safe?
Not sure where to begin? Don't sweat it; we've got you covered. Before you go jumping off the diving board, we're breaking down the best ways you can help keep your pool the most fun and safest spot all summer long.
5 Tips To Help Keep Your Pool Safe This Summer
Keeping your pool safe for swimmers may seem like a nerve-racking task, but with just a few steps, it can be easy. Below, we've listed five ways you can ensure you or anyone who takes a dip in your pool is safe from harm.
- Keep the water Clear: Drowning can happen when your pool is littered with pool floaties, covers, and trays. Even one unattended floaty can lead to a dangerous scenario. Help your swimmers stay safe by keeping all unused floaters out of the pool and keeping your water clear of any objects that may obstruct your view of those in the pool.
- Encourage Good Swimmer Hygiene: Did you know that pool water chemistry is affected by bodily inputs, such as urine, sweat, fecal material, body oils, and cosmetics? Help keep your pool water clean by encouraging at least a 60-second rise off before entering and frequent bathroom breaks for children and adults to help the potential relief in the pool.
- Fence Off The Pool: Have you ever heard of the dangers of open waters? Well, a similar concept could be applied to your swimming pool. In fact, all states except Alaska, Colorado, and Delaware have statutes that require some form of fence surrounding a residential pool. So, while it may not look as aesthetic to have a fence, we think you may prefer to keep your loved ones safe when out by the pool.
- Make Swimming Lessons Mandatory: According to the WHO, over 2.5 million deaths have been caused by drowning in the last decade. With May serving as Water Safety Month, now is the perfect time to prepare you and your loved ones before they get in the water. Take a few weekends to learn the proper techniques for swimming; whether you're between the ages of 0 and 95, it is always a good time to learn how to swim.
- Get CPR Certified: In the case that someone has drowned in your pool, performing CPR with rescue breaths can help keep them alive by maintaining blood flow and oxygenation to the brain. It's easy to get certified, to find a CPR and First Aid class near you, check with your local hospitals or fire department. Head to the American Heart Association or American Red Cross websites to learn more.
Accidents and Injuries That Occur in Swimming Pools
No matter how much we try to prepare, accidents happen sometimes. Some of the most common forms of injuries or accidents that occur at pools include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Drowning: One of the most dangerous accidents that can happen in the pool is drowning. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in the United States, children ages 1–4 die from drowning more than any other cause of death. For those ages 5-14, drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death after motor vehicle crashes.
- Diving injuries: Often, when we see a pool, our first instinct may be to jump right in. However, certain factors may make diving into the pool incredibly dangerous or even life-threatening. Those who dive headfirst into shallow water may suffer from head and neck injuries. In the case your pool comes equipped with a diving board, if uninstalled properly, divers may also suffer from slip and fall accidents, spinal cord and limb injuries, or even drowning. Keep your pool safe for divers and ensure you have the proper depth and warning signs around your pool, as well as keeping your swimmers informed and practicing proper diving techniques.
- Entrapment: Occurs when someone becomes stuck to a drain or suction fitting in a pool. According to the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP), small children are most likely to be endangered by entrapment. Keep your younger swimmers safe and ensure your drains are equipped with compliant drain covers. For added safety, before entering the water, keep any jewelry, loose clothing, or items that may get stuck in the drain outside of the pool at all times.
- Electrical Injuries: Did you know if your pool's electrical systems were installed incorrectly or poorly maintained, they can leak electrical currents into pools? In some cases, if left unchecked, when entering the water, you or a loved one may suffer an injury or even lose your life from electric shock drowning (ESD). Under a typical ESD scenario, after entering the water, the victim's muscles become paralyzed by the electrical current, rendering them unable to swim.
Ensure your swimmers' safety this summer by staying aware of the areas in and surrounding your pool. If you've suffered an injury due to a pool, do not wait to seek medical attention.
Your Pool May Be Covered Under Under Home Insurance
Did you know that when you're purchasing your homeowner's insurance, you may be able to cover your pool? Well, the actual coverage under your homeowner's policy that protects your pool may vary by insurer and the type of pool you own, but most commonly, your pool may be covered under the following policies:
Personal Property Coverage: On a homeowners policy, personal property coverage will cover roughly 50% of your dwelling coverage. If you have an above-ground pool that is portable, it will typically be considered personal property by most insurance companies. Should your home be insured for $500,000, you will have up to
$250,000 in coverage to protect against damage to your personal property, which should include your above-ground pool.
Other Structures Coverage: If your above-ground pool is permanently installed then it may be considered as an "other structure." Typically, other structures are roughly 10% of your dwelling coverage, so if you're carrying $500,000 in dwelling coverage, your pool may be covered up to $50,000.
Of course, the best way to know if your pool is covered under your homeowner's insurance would be to talk to your insurance provider. They'll be able to walk you through your policies and inform you how your insurance coverages may protect your swimming pool against damages. Keep in mind, in the event most policies will not cover damages to your pool that do not fall under a covered peril.
Damages that result from wear and tear or lack of proper maintenance will fall on your shoulders, so make sure while you're enjoying that daily swim to check for any clogged filters, rusty ladders, ripped pool liners, broken tiles, or burnt-out pool lights.
Contacting Your Attorney After an Injury
Were you or a loved one injured at a pool? At Morgan & Morgan, our attorneys are more than prepared to help you with your fall or fatal injuries case. For more information, contact our law firm today by completing our free, no-obligation case evaluation form today.
