New York residents who have swimming pools outside their homes will want to make sure that it's safe for everyone, including any guests. A pool is considered an attractive nuisance under the law, so homeowners even have a responsibility toward child trespassers.
Drowning is all too common. In fact, for every child under the age of 14 who dies from drowning, another five are sent to the emergency room after near-fatal accidents. Other pool-related concerns include slip and falls and exposure to harmful chemicals. Homeowners should consider the following three tips to prevent any incidents from taking place.
The first suggestion is to secure the pool with a fence. It should be at least 4 feet high with a self-closing gate and a latch that's out of reach to small children. The vertical slats should be spaced no more than 4 inches apart. Homeowners could also consider a motion detector and alarm.
All families should have clear safety rules and share them with every guest. No one should run around the pool or use riding toys like tricycles. No one should dive in shallow areas. Electrical appliances should be kept far away from the pool's edge.
The third step is to prevent mechanical or chemical incidents. The pool pump should be accessible, and the suction fittings and plumbing grates should be secure. Chemicals must be properly labeled and locked away.
Under premises liability law, individuals who are injured on other people's properties through no fault of their own may be able to receive compensation for their medical expenses, lost income, and other losses. Victims must prove that the property owners made a breach of the duty of care, so it would be a good idea for them to hire a lawyer before filing a claim. An attorney could hire third parties to gather the incident report and any other proof supporting the victim.