Don’t “Swim at Your Own Risk”
If you have a backyard swimming pool, you know it can provide hours of fun and relief from summer heat for your friends and family. Swimming and other pool-based recreational activities promote good physical and mental health and enhance quality of life. But like many other forms of summer activity, hanging out around a pool involves some risk.
In a 2024 report, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimated there are 6,500 pool- or spa-related nonfatal injuries treated in hospital emergency departments each year. Children are especially vulnerable, and the report said 77 percent of the nonfatal and 75 percent of fatal drownings involved children younger than 5, with 358 kids each year on average dying in pool- or spa-related drownings.
Grim statistics. So, how can you help ensure that everyone convening at your pool or in your hot tub stays safe?
Go beyond basic barriers. To reduce the risk of unauthorized, unsupervised access to your pool, follow your state and local regulations for backyard pools. The standard height recommendation for fences is 4 feet high, with a self-closing, self-latching gate. States and municipalities have their own regulations so be sure to check your area’s codes. And, consider investing in a pool alarm that sounds if anyone enters the area uninvited and install a safety cover when the pool’s not in use.
Have rules and enforce them. Yeah, we get it — pool rules might seem like they put a damper on your fun. But they should be non-negotiable. Remind everyone how they ought to behave by posting “No diving,” “No running,” and “No horseplay” signs around your pool, and always have a well-stocked first-aid kit at the ready.
Stock up on lifesaving equipment. Life rings and reaching poles should also be on your “must have” list of pool accessories. They should be highly visible and easy to grab in case of emergency.
Keep a “lifeguard” on duty. Always designate a responsible adult to keep an eye on swimmers — especially children. An accident can happen in a split second, so having someone who’s alert and ready to act in an emergency is vital. With this in mind, it’s also a great idea for everyone who lives in your home to know how to administer CPR and first-aid.
Check your drain. The drain at the pool’s bottom generates powerful suction to power its water circulation and filtration system — enough suction, in fact, to keep an unwary swimmer — particularly a small child — from reaching the surface. While most modern pools have proper anti-entrapment drains installed, not all of them do. If your pool has an older filtration system that has a flat screen on its drain, or if its screen becomes broken or dislodged, it can put even the strongest swimmer at risk, exerting hundreds of pounds of force.
While no law compels private pool owners to use safe drain covers, the Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends making sure your drain is equipped with a drain cover that is compliant with the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act of 2007, which requires anti-entrapment drain in all public pools and spas.
Sources: Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (dial.iowa.gov); poolsafely.gov; The ZAC Foundation; Abby’s Hope
The information included here was obtained from sources believed to be reliable, however Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company, SI, and its employees make no guarantee of results and assume no liability in connection with any training, materials, suggestions, or information provided. It is the user’s responsibility to confirm compliance with any applicable local, state, or federal regulations. Information obtained from or via Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company, SI, should not be used as the basis for legal advice and should be confirmed with alternative sources.
4/2025