According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are an estimated 7.4 million swimming pools and five million hot tubs in residential or public use in the United States. Furthermore, according to the CDC, there are over 3,400 fatal unintentional drownings in the United States each year, with more than one out of five drowning victims being a child 14 years old or younger.

• Contact your town or municipality
  Each town will have its own definition of what constitutes a “pool,” often based on its size and the depth of the water. If the pool you are planning to buy meets the definition, then you must comply with local safety standards and building codes. This may include installing a fence of a certain size, locks, decks and pool safety equipment.

• Protect Yourself
  Let your insurance company know that you have a pool, since it will increase your liability risk. Pools are considered an “attractive nuisance,” and it may be advisable to purchase additional liability insurance. Pool owners may want to consider increasing their liability limit amount to at least $300,000 or $500,000. You may also want to talk to your agent or company representative about purchasing an umbrella liability policy. For an additional premium of about $200 to $300 a year, you can get $1 million of liability protection over and above what you have on your home. If the pool itself is expensive, you should also have enough insurance protection to replace it if a storm or other disaster destroys it. And, don’t forget to include the chairs, tables or other furniture around the pool deck.

If you have a pool, you should take the following safety precautions:

1. Install a four-sided barrier such as a fence with self-closing gates to surround the pool. If the house forms the fourth side of the barrier, install alarms on doors leading to the pool area to prevent children from wandering into the pool or spa unsupervised. In addition to the fences or other barriers required by many towns, consider creating several “layers of protection” around the pool, in other words setting up as many barriers (door alarms, locks and safety covers) as possible to the pool area when not in use.
2. Never leave small children unsupervised—even for a few seconds. And never leave toys or floats in the pool when not in use as they may prove to be a deadly temptation for toddlers trying to reach them, who might then fall into the pool.
3. Keep children away from pool filters and other mechanical devices as the suction force may injure them or prevent them from surfacing. In an emergency, know how to shut off these devices and clearly post this information so others can do so.
4. Ask if pool users know how to swim. A good swimmer should accompany learners. If you have children, have them take swimming lessons as early as possible. And, do not allow anyone to swim alone.
5. Check the pool area regularly for glass bottles, toys, or other potential accident hazards. Also, keep CD players, radios, and other electrical devices away from pools or nearby wet surfaces.
6. Limit alcohol use around the pool, as drinking alcoholic beverages negatively impacts balance, coordination, and judgment—and its effects are further heightened by sun exposure and heat. The CDC reports that alcohol use is involved in up to half of adolescent and adult deaths associated with water recreation.
7. Clearly post emergency numbers on the phone in the event of an accident. Keep a first aid kit, ring buoys, and reaching poles near the pool. You may also want to consider learning basic water rescue skills, including first aid and CPR training. For additional information, contact the American Red Cross.