It’s that time of year again! As the days become warmer and summer approaches, many New Hampshire families will be opening their swimming pools and preparing for a summer of fun by the pool with friends and loved ones. However, conscientious pool owners know that with all this fun comes additional risk and responsibility.
When you least expect it, your whole day could take a turn for the worse as a result of an accident in your swimming pool or on the surrounding deck or patio. The question is: does a standard homeowners insurance policy cover such an unfortunate poolside accident, or worse, a death? The answer depends on the severity of the accident. Unfortunately, if a serious accident occurs, you could end up facing a lawsuit, and in this case, most homeowners policies will not provide adequate coverage.
While no day in the sun can be perfectly safe, the good news is that there is an abundance of precautions you can take to help prevent accidents. Keep the following 10 swimming pool safety tips in mind this summer:
- Keep the deck or patio area surrounding your swimming pool or hot tub fenced off using a fencing product that is at least four feet tall and install self-closing, self-latching gates. Install gate alarms on each entryway into the pool/hot tub area.
- Ensure that any pool and spa you use has compliant drain covers. Click here for more information regarding the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act that was designed to prevent the hidden hazard of drain entrapments in pools and spas.
- If your house serves as a fourth side of a barrier around a pool, install door alarms. For extra protection, install window guards on windows facing the pools, hot tub, and patio area.
- When not in use, always keep your pool and hot tub covered; use a locking safety cover, if possible.
- Create a Pool Safety Tool Kit and have it handy while swimming or supervising others. Click here for information from PoolSafely.gov that will help you create
ayour pool safety tool kit. - Never leave children alone in the pool, patio, and/or hot tub area, and always have at least one adult who can swim supervise.
- Have a phone handy in case of an accident. Know the precise address of the swimming pool you are using;every second counts in an emergency.
- Keep approved Coast Guard life jackets, safety poles, and other safety devices handy in the pool, hot tub, and patio area.
- Know CPR. Click here for information on CPR certification courses from the American Red Cross in the southern New Hampshire area.
- Consider using surface or underwater alarms. Click here to learn more about these types of pool-safety alarms.
Even with the best protection, not all accidents can be avoided. Let’s say you are a seasoned pool owner and have already implemented every poolside safety precaution. Despite taking these safety measures, how can you ensure that you have enough coverage to protect yourself and loved ones in the event of an unavoidable accident?
- Review your homeowners insurance and liability coverage with your independent insurance agent. Individual policy limits vary, ranging from as low as $100,000, to over $500,000. It is essential to ensure that you understand how much liability coverage your policy provides and to consider increasing your coverage to the maximum available for optimal protection.
- Consider an umbrella policy. Personal umbrella insurance policies are affordable and offer additional liability protection on top of the liability insurance your homeowners policy provides, in $1-million increments.
While you, your family, and your friends enjoy the upcoming summer in the pool, you can also enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing you have taken every poolside safety precaution and have reviewed your insurance polices to ensure that you have adequate coverage in the event of an unexpected accident.
At Eaton & Berube, the safety of your family, home, and meaningful assets is our priority. For additional safety tips and useful resources, please subscribe to our blog or contact us.