When the sun comes out, pools across New York State open for use. If you own a private or public pool, you want to take steps to make sure everyone using your pool stays as safe as possible throughout the summer months. With that in mind, you need to outline important pool safety tips for events and parties.
At The Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP our pool accident lawyers in New York can help you break down the tips and tricks that may keep visitors using your pool as safe as possible. The more steps you take to prevent an accident, the more time you can spend beating the heat.
How to Keep a Pool Safe for Events and Parties
Hosting a pool party can be fun and safe with the right precautions, from strategic fencing to emergency preparedness, ensuring a secure and enjoyable environment for everyone. Here are some essential considerations:
Fencing Off Your Pool
If you own a pool and want to keep visitors as safe as possible, make sure you fence off your pool. Fencing the pool and its surrounding patio can keep visitors from accidentally stumbling into the water. The physical barrier also works as a warning system for you, as you can hear people enter or exit through the gate.
Light Your Pool
While fencing serves as a primary barrier between your visitors and a pool, lighting can keep visitors from running into your pool in the first place. Make sure you keep your patio and pool deck well-lit, particularly as the days start to get shorter. You can even invest in in-pool lights to keep the water lit at night.
Prevent Slips With Slip-Resistant Pool Materials
You can work with area contractors to make the patio around your pool as slip-resistant as possible. The more effort you put into placing drains and textured deck materials around your pool, the safer children and adults will be throughout the summer.
Consistently Check Your Pool Equipment and Chemical Balance
Make sure the equipment you use to keep your pool operable is as safe as possible. You will want to regularly check the safety of your ladders, slides, and diving boards throughout the summer. You should additionally check the security of deck materials like steps, railings, and fencing.
It’s also in your best interest to continually maintain your pool’s health. We recommend that you consistently check the pH levels of your pool so you can reduce visitors’ chances of coming into contact with dangerous bacteria.
Make Sure All Visitors Know How to Swim
It’s not your responsibility to make sure that your visitors teach their children – or themselves – how to swim. However, you can ask visitors whether or not they feel safe around your pool. If you know that an adult or child may be at risk in the water, elect someone to keep an eye on them throughout their visit.
Minimize Poolside Drinking
As the weather warms up, it’s tempting to break out the blender and make all kinds of frozen, alcoholic drinks. While a pina colada might fit the warmer weather, consider minimizing the drinking that your visitors do around your pool during parties. If you notice someone having too much to drink, consider directing them away from the water.
Clearly Mark Shallow and Deep Ends
It’s in your best interest to distinguish between the deep and shallow ends of your pool. You can do this with written signs as well as icons. In this same vein, consider letting guests know where they can jump into the pool and where jumping may not be safe. While you don’t want to overwhelm your guests with signs, clear instructions describing pool depth and safety tips can prevent dangerous accidents.
Stay On Top of Emergency Training
If you want to go the extra mile, consider investing in basic first aid training ahead of the summer months. Knowledge of CPR and basic first aid can help you respond to an emergency situation while someone else at your event calls for medical support. If you don’t have time to invest in a course, make sure that your poolside first aid kit is easily accessible and well-stocked.
Stay Safe This Summer
Premises liability attorneys in New York want everyone to stay as safe as possible this summer. Pool owners can take extra steps to prevent dangerous slips and falls – but you, too, can make decisions that keep you safer on someone else’s property! Keep these poolside tips and tricks in mind, and you’ll find it easier to enjoy your next swim.
If you or someone you love recently slipped and fell near a pool, don’t panic. You have the right to financially recover under New York’s civil statutes. You can book a free case evaluation with the pool accident attorneys working with Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP. Your first case consultation comes free of charge. Contact us online or by calling (516) 358-6900 to learn more.
