Last Updated on March 5, 2019
If you have installed a swimming pool on your property, you have already invested a significant amount of money and may feel that you can skip the added expense of erecting a fence to enclose it. Think again. Saving a few dollars now will certainly cost you thousands more in liability should an accidental drowning occur. According to the Center for Disease Control, accidental drowning comes in fifth as the cause of unintentional injury death. For children aged one to four, it is the main cause of death other than birth defects. No homeowner wants to bear that responsibility.
Laws vary in municipalities regarding the legality of unfenced pools, but most if not all homeowner’s policies stipulate that all pools must be enclosed by fences of a certain height. In most states, swimming pools fall into the category of attractive nuisances, meaning that the pool presents both an attraction and a danger to small children who may access the pool without permission and drown. Homeowner’s policies or riders will not pay damages for pools that are not fenced in, leaving the homeowner personally liable for any misadventures resulting from deaths or injuries incurred in or around the unfenced pool. That is just the legal ramification — imagine the personal toll it would take to know that your carelessness or negligence caused a child to drown.
Fences and locking gates are necessary around Jacuzzi spas as well as pools. In addition to providing privacy for those enjoying the water, they offer a layer of protection from disaster and legal liability should an accident occur on your premises.
Your pool should be a center of enjoyment and relaxation for your family and guests. Ensure that it remains that way be becoming knowledgeable about swimming pool safety and make sure your pool is safely enclosed by a sturdy fence with locking gate.
