Last year, there were a few unfortunate instances that sparked some water safety blogs. This year, we are going to start with some informative blogs on how to prevent drowning and unsafe pool conditions before swimming season is in full swing.
First of all, it is important to take certain measures of safety from the perspective of your Massachusetts Home Insurance. As a homeowner, it’s critical that you inform your Massachusetts Insurance carrier if you have a pool – when you are applying for a new policy, or if you get a pool installed – after your policy is active. If you do not, you risk having your policy cancelled or a loss not covered. Fortunately, many of the national pool safety requirements also help you reduce risk and therefore, make your Home insurance carrier more likely to cover you.
Keeping the area around your pool safe and secure is the first step in drowning prevention. Even if you don’t have kids, these are still important guidelines and requirements to follow since there may be other families with kids nearby, friends that visit with young kids and honestly, people of any age can drown – not just kids!
According to the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA):
- You should have a fence (at least 60” tall) surrounding the entire pool area with a child- proof lock that opens away from the pool. This makes it more difficult for a child to get in if they have to pull the gate open (instead of push). Self-closing and self-latching gates are even more secure.
- An automatic pool cover is an added safety measure. It is easy, efficient and safer than manual or other types of pool covers. Using the cover when the pool is not in use aids in lessening the temptation for kids.
- Clearly post pool rules, CPR instructions, a safety ring and a shepherd’s hook at close reach for emergency situations. Additionally, keeping a cell phone or portable phone in the pool area when it is in use makes calling 9-1-1 faster in an emergency, seconds count!
- Other safety measures include alarms on the side of the pool and on windows and doors to alert you if someone has entered the pool or pool area. Using a pool drain is also a good idea but, avoid using chlorine dispensers since they typically look like toys and can be misleading to children.
- When the pool is not in use, it is important to put away all toys so that children are not tempted to get into the pool/pool area to retrieve them.
For more immediate safety tips click here.
Taking preventative measures to protect your family and friends around your pool is very important and can help save a life in the event of an emergency.
Click here to read Drowning Prevention – Part Two – Do’s & Don’ts for a Safer Pool
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