Summer’s around the corner, it’s a good time to review pool safety at your HOA or community swimming pool. Some home owners associations have different rules and different responsibilities, so make sure to check any HOA notices and/or posted signs in and around the pool.
Swim At Your Own Risk?
Some pools are staffed with a lifeguard, or are staff with a lifeguard only during certain times of the day. There are several thousands of accidental drownings every year across the country, so often HOAs will hire a trained lifeguard or employ a pool monitor to keep the area safe and keep a watchful eye on swimmers. Their responsibilities may also include monitoring the amount of people in the pool area as well as those in the pool.
Generally to reduce cost and liability, some HOAs use a “Swim At Your Own Risk” policy. Community members are responsible to monitor themselves and the safety of swimmers is left to people in the area. If this is the case in your community, know where your mobile phone is and/or make sure to locate an emergency phone should the need arise.
A Clean Pool Area Is a Safer Pool Area
Everyone loves pool time, but it’s also everyone’s responsibility to keep the pool area clean and free of debris and discarded food items, trash, etc. Remember the “carry-in-carry-out” rule – don’t leave a mess for someone else to clean.
Putting pool furniture, umbrellas, and other equipment back and taking your towels, clothes, and trash with you ensures a clean pool for anyone using the space.
Pool Rules and Signage
Every pool, whether your community pool, school pool, or hotel pool should have a list of rules prominently displayed. Respecting these rules keeps the pool safe for everyone. Some common rules are:
No Diving
No Glass Containers In The Pool Area
No Running
No Horseplay or Roughhousing
No Alcohol or Drugs
Swimming Allowed During Posted Hours
No Swimming after Posted Hours
No Swimming Alone
No Swimming During Inclement Weather
Maximum People Allowed In Pool Area ___
___ Number of Guests Allowed Per Household
Pool Hours from ____ A.M. to ____ P.M.
Kids and Pool Time
Pools are usually surrounded by a gated fence to prevent accidents as well as uninvited guests from accessing the pool. It’s also the first line of defense in preventing children from wandering into the pool area by themselves. If your family has pool time, always keep an eye on your kids as they play. Swimming is a life skill and it’s a great idea to give your children swimming lessons if they spend time at the community pool.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are over 4,000 drowning deaths annually in the US, and d rowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 5-14. Drowning prevention is also a vital aspect of pool safety. Even if your community pool employs a lifeguard, stay vigilant while enjoying
If you’re lucky to live in a community with a pool, summer time is pool time! Keep safety in mind while your enjoy some summer fun! Contact your community’s HOA office if you have any questions pool regarding rules and regulations.
Rapid Solutions for HOA Pools and Community Areas
Rapid International offers communities and HOAs benefits of having a friendly and identifiable security guard present at their pools and in their communities. Rapid staff provides a bridge for communication between neighbors as well as someone to make sure the pool was secure for swimmers, especially families and children. Click the link to learn more about these initiatives.
Rapid management has extensive experience in the security industry and in each city, prioritizes partnership with local law enforcement and emergency service agencies. We’ve worked to build and continue to build collaborative relationships with law enforcement managers in these HOA communities. Our patrols are signs of security in these communities and help mitigate crime in the area.
What’s your HOA security plan?
Rapid International provides security services, including staffed areas and patrol services, in partnership with your community. We work to make people and communities safe and secure. Please get in touch, we’d love to help you make your community safer and more secure. In Georgia, call: (706) 844-2586, in California call: (213) 364-1394 or email us at info@therapidway.com.
Security is not a gimmick or a gadget: it’s a state of mind.
Andrew Calderon – Rapid International Security Services
IG: rapidgroup.ga | Linked In: Rapid International Group, Inc.
