The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC) reports that summer is the most dangerous time of year in terms of drowning incidents. There is an average of 150 drownings each year, many of those occurring in residential swimming pools. The best way to protect yourself from such a disaster occurring on your property is to take preventative measures.
– Use a lockable cover on hot tubs to prevent children from accessing it unsupervised. You may remember that golf great Jack Nicklaus’ grandson drowned in a family hot tub in 2005. It sounds far-fetched, but these accidents do happen more than they should.
– Have a float, reaching poll, life ring, and other lifesaving equipment close by your pool or even if you have a pond on your property.
– Learn how to do CPR on adults and kids! This is a good skill to have even if you don’t have a pool!
– Designate at least one adult at all times, who is 100% focused on watching kids when they are playing in or around any open body of water.
– Ensure that a self-latching and self-closing gate of at least 4 feet in height is erected around the entire perimeter of any swimming pool.
– Teach any young kids who are frequently around a pool or spa to swim.
– Make sure that you have the proper insurance coverage to protect your assets should the unspeakable happen.
Property owners in Kentucky have specific obligations to prevent anyone (but especially children) from drowning or being otherwise hurt by pools , spas, or ponds on their property. These can all be considered “attractive nuisances” under the law, because they can attract trespassers and children to come onto the property and then become subject to drowning risks. Having these standard precautions in place can protect not only the victim but the property owner as well.
