Residential community pools are so much fun. They can bring people together, but they also require specific safety warnings. Failing to follow proper safety guidelines can increase a community’s liability exposure. Moreover, it’s important to note that child drownings in Arizona are nearly twice the national average. Every life is precious and maintaining safety for your community members should be of the utmost importance to your community and board.

If your HOA has a pool, here are some safety guidelines to review for this summer.

1. Parental Supervision of Kids

Swimming is often taken for granted as a safe activity, but parents need to be aware that kids can drown in a matter of seconds. It’s easy for kids to get distracted when they’re playful. That’s why children should never be left on their own at any swimming pool. Whether or not this notice is required by your local jurisdiction, it should be posted on a sign near your pool. Parents and guardians should also specifically designate which member is responsible for watching the kids at any time.

2. Fencing Around Pools

Residential community pools need 5-foot fencing or barriers around pools to ensure safety of non-swimmers and children. Also, the fencing should include a gate that is self-closing and locking. Click here for more specifics on regulations in Arizona..

3. ‘No Lifeguard on Duty’ Warning

A local community pool that is open to the public is more likely than a residential community pool to have a lifeguard on duty. We recommend posting a ‘No Lifeguard on Duty’ sign as a reminder that an unsupervised pool has a degree of risk.

4. Warning Signs About Diving

Not all pools were built for diving, especially those with depth under five feet. Even if the pool is not equipped with a diving board, there should be a sign that warns that no diving is allowed in shallow water.

5. First Aid Information

Another essential safety measure for residential community pools is to post signs that give emergency instructions, such as calling 911 and administering CPR. It should also direct people where to get safety devices, such as life jackets or CPR guards, if they are provided by the community.

6. Hygiene Awareness

Some states, such as Arizona, have specific hygiene requirements before an individual of any age can enter a public pool. Pool users are warned to avoid stepping into the water if they have a cold, skin, or body infection. These signs must be posted within 50 feet of the pool.

7. Keep Alcohol Away

Alcohol and swimming pools don’t mix since alcohol impairs judgement and can cause swimmers to forget about safety. It’s common for pools to prohibit any alcoholic beverage anywhere near a pool area. 

8. Darkness and Lighting

If a community pool is open at night, it needs proper lighting–both for general visibility when moving through the pool area and in order to highlight signage. Every community pool should post its hours in a conspicuous place and be locked when it’s time to close.

9. Hazard Guidelines

While a pool can have many potential hazards, community pool owners should clearly communicate to patrons through signage and reinforcement that rough play is not allowed. For maximum safety, the area should also be free of glass bottles and sharp objects.

10. Pick the Right Vendor

Use a reputable pool maintenance company to make sure that your pool and the surrounding area is being properly maintained. From chemical levels to pool decking repairs, the right pool vendor can help your board find issues and resolve them before they become a safety hazard.

Brown Community Management is dedicated to helping your HOA community stay safe around water and in everyday life. For more information about how we can make association management easier for you, contact us today.

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