Safety Precautions for Your Private, At-Home Pool
The convenience of an at-home pool means being able to enjoy summer fun without having to travel farther than the privacy of your own backyard.
The added convenience and privacy of a personal pool also comes with added responsibility, and decreased safety measures as compared to a public pool.
Aside from hiring your own lifeguard, there are a few precautions you can take to ensure your pool is as safe as possible for yourself, your family, and your guests.
Build a Fence Around Your Pool
One of the biggest concerns of pool safety is drowning. Without a lifeguard on duty, everyone in the pool is responsible for the safety of other swimmers. Unfortunately, this often means careful observation is less than what a professional, on-duty lifeguard would provide.
The added safety feature of a fence can be the extra insurance you need to keep your guests safe. A fence should be able to keep anyone from falling into the pool or wandering around the area alone, especially young children.
Cover the Pool Drains
The drains and filters in your pool should be safely covered at all times. The suction from an uncovered drain can be intense, and can cause injury or even death if not properly sealed.
Avoid Dangerous Toys
If you have any toys in your pool, or other fun features like a slide or diving board, you need to take extra precautions to make sure they are in the best shape to be fun and safe.
One of the best ways to avoid injuries at the pool is to refrain from installing a slide or diving board altogether. Many pool owners do take the risk, however. If you are one of them, make sure the slide and/or diving board are as safe as possible and frequently inspect them for safety and security purposes.
Small pool toys such as rafts and floats should be fully inflated. This may seem like a minimal detail that doesn’t have much of an effect on safety, but taking the measures to keep pool toys safe is just as important as other precautions.
Keep Cleaning Solutions Away from the Pool Area
Maintaining a private pool involves consistent cleaning and upkeep. The materials needed for pool cleaning are mostly harsh chemicals. Sanitizers, pH balancing agents, and other cleaners keep your pool clean, clear, and safe for swimming, but can be dangerous if ingested or if they make skin contact.
Be Prepared for an Emergency and Stay Aware
Even if you take all the safety precautions listed above, emergencies can still happen. You need to be prepared for any issues that could arise, regardless of how safe your pool is. You should keep a first aid kit close to your pool in a place that is easy to access. As a pool owner, you should also learn CPR, so you can provide immediate attention to any swimmers, if needed.
Ultimately, one of the best (and easiest) things you can do to keep your pool safe is as simple as being observant. Keep an eye out for other swimmers (especially younger kids), and make sure you are completely aware of your own safety too. The golden rule of “never swim alone” is a standard for a reason, and should be maintained in your at-home pool.
Contact Our Brooklyn Premises Liability Attorneys for Help
Having a private pool is a big responsibility. Owners are directly responsible for the safety of other swimmers, and injuries sustained on someone else’s property can be the basis for legal action.
At Koenigsberg & Associates Law Offices, our Brooklyn premises liability lawyers are available 24/7 to discuss the rights and responsibilities of pool owners, especially as they apply to cases involving accidents and injuries. Please contact us via phone at (718) 690-3132, or complete the form on our website for a free consultation.