With spring right around the corner and temperatures climbing each day, it won’t be long before community and residential swimming pools begin to open. There are few things better than hosting a pool side party with friends or taking a cold dip on a scorching hot summer day, but it is important for swimmers and homeowners with pools to take preventative measures to avoid any swimming related accidents or injuries.
1. Keep children away from pool filters and other mechanical devices: The suction from filters or other devices in the pool may injure them or prevent them from surfacing. In case of emergency, know how to shut these devices off.
2. Enroll children in swim classes as early as possible: Check out the Prattville and Montgomery YMCA’s or Adventure Sports II, for class listings.
3. Remove all toys and floats from the pool when not in use: Many accidents are the result of a child reaching for a toy or float just beyond their grasp.
4. Keep rescue equipment and a telephone near the pool: Always be prepared for emergency by having reaching or throwing equipment, life jackets and a first aid kit nearby.
5. Swim with a buddy: Whether your an experienced swimmer or just beginning, it is never safe to swim alone. Teach your children to always have an adult or someone supervising them when at the pool.
6. Install Four-Sided Fencing: Install a four-sided pool fence that completely separates the pool area from the house and yard. The fence should be at least 4 feet high. Use self-closing and self-latching gates that open outward with latches that are out of reach of children.
7. Above-ground pools: Install sturdy guard rails around the pool deck. Look for rolled rims on the metal shell to be sure the rims do not present a sharp cutting edge if someone falls.
8. Call your insurance agent or company representative: Let your insurance company know that you have a pool, since it will increase your liability risk. Additionally, if the pool itself is expensive, you should also have enough insurance protection to replace it in the event it is destroyed by a storm or other disaster.
For more swim safety tips, visit the American Red Cross website.
If you have questions regarding insurance protection for your pool, give us a call or complete one of our free, no obligation quote forms to speak with a Starke consultant!
