A backyard swimming pool can provide hours of summer fun but they can also be very dangerous if not properly respected.
Owning a pool comes with the responsibility of not only ensuring it’s safe for your family but also for those visiting your home as well.
Here are 7 crucial safety measures a pool owner should be implementing.
1. SET THE RULES
All pool owners should create and display a set of safety rules.
These should include the most common sense rules like no running near the pool and no diving in the shallow end along with any others that you feel apply to your unique situation.
Don’t forget to include some fun ones like “enjoy the music” and some super serious ones like “belly flops will be graded on a 1-10 scale”.
2. STRONG BORDERS
Make sure that you refer to your local municipality for fence and gate requirements.
3. HAVE AN EMERGENCY PLAN
Create an action plan in case something was to go wrong and make sure that everyone knows the plan.
4. SAFETY FIRST
Be sure to have a stocked first aid kit readily available for any scrapes and bruises. Also a swimming assist device and cell phone close by in case of emergency is a great idea.
5. DON’T SWIM WITH THREATENING SKIES
Avoid swimming during stormy weather or when stormy weather appears imminent. If you hear thunder or see lightening, it’s time to get out of the pool and stay out until it’s been 30 minutes since the last sound of thunder.
6. PROVIDE SWIMMING AIDS
Life jackets or other personal floating devices should be worn by weak & non-swimmers but are not a substitute for supervision. Which brings us to our most important pool safety reminder.
7. SUPERVISION IS A MUST!
Ensure you have active adult supervision at all times. Never leave children unattended, all it takes is a second and tragedy can strike. 57% of Canadian drownings occur in swimming pools, with children under the age of 4 accounting for nearly half of those drownings.
Erie Mutual Insurance would like to remind everyone to be safe while having fun this summer!
Erie Mutual Insurance proudly serves the commercial insurance, farm insurance, home insurance and auto insurance needs of members throughout Southern Ontario including Haldimand, Niagara and Hamilton.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have about this or any other topic related to your insurance.