A backyard pool can be a wonderful place to gather with family and friends in the summer, but it can also be a dangerous spot when the right safety steps are not taken. Any homeowner who installs a pool in the backyard is responsible for following pool safety requirements that ensure the pool is as safe as possible for the family, visitors and the rest of the neighborhood.
Fencing
Fencing should fully surround the pool and decks that go around the pool area. Fencing should be at least four feet high and come with a locking gate to keep children and other visitors out when the pool is not in use.
Alarms
Alarms can be posted on the gate to alert the homeowner when someone enters the pool area. There are also alarms that can be installed inside the pool, which go off when the water in the pool is disrupted in any way.
Ladders and Covers
Above-ground pools should be outfitted with secure covers that can easily be placed over the pool when it is not in use. These types of pools usually have ladders that serve as the only access to the pool. Ladders should be removed from the pool when it is not in use to prevent easy entry.
Drains
Circulation systems inside the pool can present hazards to swimmers by drawing them to the pool’s bottom by a process known as “suction entrapment.” This hazard can be eliminated with drain covers and anti-entrapment devices. These rules do more than keep swimmers safe; they protect the homeowners from liability in the event of an accident as well. When requirements are not meant, those injured in a pool accident may seek legal action against the homeowner responsible. If you are in need of a lawyer for a swimming pool accident, contact NY personal injury lawyers.