Pool Ownership Includes Responsibilities

Safety Measures and Proper Coverage Are As Necessary As Water and Towels

Owning a pool can be a wonderful thing, providing the convenience of quick and cool dips on a hot summer day, a useful exercise option, and a setting for family fun.  But pool ownership also provides responsibility, so taking steps to keep yourself, your family and your guests safe are absolutely necessary. CPR training from a good CPR class like CPR Certification Lexington is also advisable.

For all the enjoyment a pool offers, there are also dangers; 137 children under age 15 drowned in pools or spas between Memorial Day and Labor Day last year, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. An additional 168 children required emergency response for what where characterized as near-fatal incidents during that same time period.

“As easily as a pool can be a setting for a perfect summer day, it can be a setting for an unforgettable accident,” said Allstate spokesperson in New York Jaclyn Darrohn. “Pool owners need to think about safety, about security, about liability and about local ordinances, and take steps in each of these areas. It’s not enough to wait for a warm day, fill the pool with water, and have a great afternoon, because a pool is a pool around the clock, and every pool has its dangers.”

A first practice would be to try and keep everyone as safe as possible when they are using the pool.  Steps would include:

• Make sure everyone in the household knows how to swim, has a basic knowledge of pool safety and knows the pool rules. CPR training is also advisable.

• Never leave toys or floats in the pool when it’s not in use.

• Keep life saving gear such as a first aid kit, reaching poles and buoys readily available and in proper working condition.

• Children should always be supervised while in the pool.

• Keep children away from filters and devices with suction force that may cause injury or drowning.

Almost as important is keeping people safe when they are not using the pool.  Steps that help in that task include:

•  Taking proactive measures in pool maintenance is paramount to maintain a secure environment. This includes regular checks on pool equipment, ensuring fences and gates are secure, and implementing safety covers when the pool is not in use. Additionally, entrusting your pool maintenance to professionals like Two Brothers ensures meticulous care. With their expertise, you can guarantee not only a sparkling pool but also a secure environment, adhering to the highest safety standards.

• Homes with expansive pools require meticulous care and attention to detail, necessitating the expertise of professional pool cleaning services. In Bloomington, St. George, where residents often lead busy lifestyles, entrusting the upkeep of their pool to reliable professionals is a sensible choice. Pool cleaning services IN BLOOMINGTON, ST. GEORGE, understand the unique needs of upscale properties, offering tailored maintenance plans to ensure that your pool remains a sparkling oasis of relaxation amidst the opulence of your estate.

• Enclose the pool with a fence that stands at least four feet high and has a self-closing and self-latching gate. Avoid fences with vertical bars spaced more than four inches apart and chain-link fences that are easy to climb. If there isn’t any sort of fence installed then make sure to call in a trenching company to get the area set up for a fence installation, or if you already have a fence set up then you should check for any damages so you are sure you don’t need a fence repair or a complete replacement.

• Keep patio furniture away from the fence so people can’t use it to boost themselves over the fence.

• Install and use a lockable safety cover on your pool or spa.

• Consider using a surface wave or underwater alarm

Not to be overlooked are the dangers of small inflatable pools. While larger backyard pools get covers, fences and locked gates, small inflatable pools have no barriers to keep inquisitive toddlers away.  A child can drown even in shallow water in the time it takes to grab a towel from indoors. Tips to be followed when using inflatable pools include:

• Supervise infants and toddlers, always being within touching distance.

• Know CPR.  Be prepared to rescue a child with life saving techniques if necessary.

• Drain the water and deflate the pool when it is not in use

• Follow the layers of protection rule with large inflatable pools.  Set up as many barriers as possible to make it difficult for a child to get to the pool such as door alarms, fencing, safety covers and locks.

For those who own or are considering installing a pool, it’s important to understand the local regulations relating to a pool. A pool is considered an “attractive nuisance,” in other words, too tempting to resist, especially to children. Your kids may sneak out the patio door when you’re not looking, or neighborhood kids may trespass to get to the pool when you’re out of town.

These are the types of scenarios that the safety requirements of towns and insurance companies typically address. Some cities may require all residential swimming pools to have a barrier around them. Other factors like diving boards, visibility from the street and whether the pool is in-ground may affect the insurability of the swimming pool.

An Allstate insurance agent can provide the details regarding the insurance implications of having a pool. Once you learn what safety precautions your insurance company requires, the conversation may turn to your liability coverage in the event that someone is hurt in your pool and files a claim against you.

While most homeowners policies include a minimum of $100,000 of liability protection, you may want to consider increasing the amount to $300,000 or $500,000. In addition, you may consider purchasing an umbrella liability policy, which typically costs about $300-$500 annually depending on the state, the characteristics and the coverage, and can give you $1 million in liability protection above what you already have on your home.

For More information and a new quote please call Shirley Eizember, Pinckney Insurance Agency, 41 Port Watson St, Cortland New York. 607-756-8505

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer known for its “You’re In Good Hands With Allstate®” slogan. Now celebrating its 80th anniversary as an insurer, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help nearly 16 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via www.allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®.

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