A backyard pool is a blessing when you want to beat the summer heat and relax with your friends and family. However, you must be aware of the responsibilities that come with owning a backyard pool.

In Ohio, homeowners with backyard pools are liable for injuries that occur on their property. In addition, they may be held responsible for injuries to a person trespassing or a child if they get hurt on their property.

If you want to mitigate your liability, it is essential to take steps to protect the general public and guests from injuries. Pool owners must be aware of the state, city, and country requirements concerning pool safety. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has put a list of simple steps that can save lives.

Safety measures for backyard pools

We have categorized safety measures into four crucial points. These include:

Watch, be alert, and stay close

• Watch your kids and never leave them unattended
• Keep children away from pipes, pool drains, or other openings
• Install a phone closer to the pool
• If there is a missing child check the pool first.
• Share the safety instructions with everyone around, including your friends, family, and neighbors.

Practice and learn water safety skills

• Learn to swim
• Learn to perform CPR on adults and children.
• Understand the basics of life-saving so that you can assist during a pool emergency

Install appropriate pool safety equipment

• You can install a four-sided pool fence that can easily separate the house from the pool area. Try not to consider the house the fourth side of a fence if it is easily accessible to the children from the door or opening.
• The fence must be at least 4 feet high. It should separate the pool from the house and play areas of the yard.
• Use self-latching and self-closing gates that open outwards. Make sure that the latches are out of the children’s reach.
• Consider additional barriers like alarms or automatic door locks that help to notify or prevent you from entry into the pool area.
• Do not forget to remove the portable pool ladder when not in use.
• Make sure all the spas and pools have compliant drain covers.
• Maintain spa and pool covers in working order.

Safety Items

• Flotation devices
• Cell phone or charged portable telephone to call 911
• Scissors to cut pool cover, clothing, or hair, if needed
• Reach pole
• First aid kit

Insurance Coverage

Homeowners insurance must cover pool-related injuries. Apart from that you should add extra coverage. You can talk to your insurance provider about adding an umbrella policy that provides liability coverage above and over your policy. Insurance cost changes policy to policy, yet it generally costs about $150 to $350 per year. You can also buy a $1 million personal umbrella liability policy.

An umbrella policy can help protect your assets from an unfavorable lawsuit that arises from property damage or personal injury caused by you, members of your family, or hazards on your property for which you are legally liable. Exclusions may apply, so consult an experienced insurance agent and read the policies carefully that will help you to ensure appropriate coverage.