What You Need to Know about Pool Safety
Huestis Insurance Group • Jun 21, 2023
Summer is officially here and so are our Pool Safety Tips!
Backyard pools can be summer fun entertainment for the whole family – but they also come with very serious risk. An accident only takes a second, and often involves young children who gain access to a pool without a self-closing and self-latching gate. If you own a pool, we urge you to take the time to install safety measures.
Home insurance policies offer homeowners third-party liability insurance should an accident and bodily injury occur; but injuries or death can't be reversed by insurance. In the case of pool safety, the saying is true that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
If you have a pool, or own access to a body of water, we recommend a minimum limit of $2,000,000 for Personal Liability, and an Umbrella Policy for even more protection.
Alarming statistics show:
- 15 out of 100 child drownings in Canada are occurring in backyard pools
- In 70% of child drownings in backyard pools, the pool has no fence or has a fence that does not adhere to safety bylaws
- Sixty per cent of child drownings occur between June and August
Practice Pool Safety
- Walk - Don't Run This rule never gets old - walk, don't run, on a pool deck . This area tends to be very slippery, especially when there is water present. A slip and fall will put a halt to your pool party - and injuries can be severe.
- Supervise children at all times Drowning can happen in seconds. It is usually silent which means there is no splashing. Children and inexperienced swimmers should be closely supervised at all times. Inflatable toys or lifejackets should never be a replacement for supervision.
- Install Fencing Pool fencing is not only an important safety measure, but it is required by most insurance companies and municipalities, even for temporary inflatable pools. Fencing of 5' which fully surrounds your pool, including a locked gate, will ensure that your pool is off limits when you're not around.
A child can drown in less than 2 inches of water. Even the smallest pool requires constant supervision and should be drained when it’s not being used. As tempting as inflatable pools look in store, they can’t easily be drained - full fencing, even for temporary pools, is required.
- Inexperienced swimmers should wear life jackets/Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) Life jackets/PFDs can be worn in a pool, but children still need adult supervision. Life jackets/PFDs, or inflatable toys, are never a replacement for adult supervision.
- Be careful getting in and out of the pool Use a handrail whenever possible to prevent slipping or falling. When getting out of the water, avoid climbing on slippery or other unstable surfaces. Most pools are not deep enough for diving, so enter the water slowly with your feet first
- Learn CPR and Post instructions Knowing basic CPR can make the difference between life and death. Sign up for a first aid CPR course and have instructions posted near your pool incase of an emergency situation. Include your home address incase anyone needs to call for first responders. Visit www.heartandstroke.ca/how-you-can-help/learn-cpr to learn more.
More Safety Tips from Canadian Red Cross:
• Establish pool rules; these can include: swim with a buddy, children must have an adult with them at all times, and no glass containers around the pool
• Few backyard pools are safe for diving - swimmers should always enter the water feet-first
• Have readily accessible reaching or throwing assists, a working phone and first aid kit
• Have an Action Plan including adult supervision, an emergency signal, safety equipment and emergency procedures
• Keep the deck clear of toys and debris
• Do not use alcohol or drugs in or around the pool
• Small on-ground portable or kiddie pools should be emptied when not in use. Above-ground pools should have the ladder or steps removed when not in use, and be fenced.
• Hot tubs should not exceed 104°F or 40°C and are not recommended for pregnant women, toddlers or infants.
Ref. Canadian Red Cross & Newswire.ca
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Huestis Insurance Group is made up of community based insurance agencies located right in your neighborhood. We are local people who understand your insurance needs. We offer you Service, Choice, and Advice with the backing of Canada’s largest insurance companies.
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