As families celebrate the unofficial start of summer this Memorial Day, many will likely be opening their pools to family, friends, and even neighbors. If you’re a pool owner, you want to ensure everyone stays safe while having fun. Here are some tips for opening your pool this Memorial Day.

Create Pool Rules

As a pool owner, if you allow friends, family, and neighbors to enjoy your pool, creating and posting pool rules to keep everyone safe is essential. According to RubyHome, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission states that 71% of pool and spa deaths occur at a private residence such as a family, friend, or neighbor’s home. This is all the more reason to implement rules when allowing anyone to enjoy your pool. Pool rules should apply to adults as well as children.

Some rules to consider include the following:

• No running around the perimeter of the pool.
• No swimming if partaking in alcoholic beverages.
• Parents must keep an eye on their children at all times: if parents go indoors or leave the house, children must exit the pool.
• Swimmers must enter the pool feet first: most home pools are not adequate for diving. This applies to going down the slide as well.
• Non-swimmers must wear life jackets or floaties.
• The pool deck should remain free of toys and other objects.
• No pushing, shoving, or throwing anyone else into the pool.

Secure Pool Fence

Ensure the fence around your pool meets safety standards. If you don’t have a fence around your pool, now is the time to consider getting one. In many areas, your insurance company will require fencing around a pool.

The specific requirements for a pool fence may vary depending on where you live. According to Houselocic.com, every pool fence in the U.S. should abide by the following legal requirements put forth by the states and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:

• CPSC recommends a fence of 4 feet or taller.
• The fence must be impossible for children to climb.
• Permanent fencing is ideal due to its durability.
• All states require that gates open outwardly away from the pool area and must be self-closing and self-latching.

Pool fences may be made from many different materials, but the one you choose should be resistant to damage.

Add a pool gate alarm

A pool gate alarm is a great safety addition, especially if you have children. House doors leading outside should also have alarms in case a child wanders outside and into the pool area. Work with your home security provider to set up these alerts within your home’s access control system.

Contact the Building Code Department, the Department of Health, and Licensing and Regulatory Affairs for your area to find your local pool security requirements.

Opening up your pool for the season is exciting. Spend time before opening your pool getting everything prepared, and ensuring that safety requirements are up-to-date so everyone can enjoy pool season safely.

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