Backyard pools are a staple of summertime and can be an attractive feature for home buyers, but they also present unique insurance and safety challenges.

Swimming pools are frequently classified as "attractive nuisances," meaning they can draw children and other visitors who may not fully appreciate the dangers involved. According to the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I), this can increase a homeowner's liability exposure if an injury occurs on the property. Triple-I also notes that drowning remains a serious concern, particularly for young children, making pool safety a critical issue for homeowners and insurance carriers alike.

From an insurance perspective, homeowners should review their liability limits before installing a pool. Standard homeowners' policies generally provide liability coverage; however, having a pool on the property increases the risk of bodily injury claims, prompting some insurers to recommend higher liability limits or a personal umbrella policy. Carriers may also evaluate safety features such as fencing, self-closing gates, alarms and pool covers when underwriting a property.

Risk reduction extends beyond preventing accidents. Pool owners must also maintain safe water conditions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends proper handling and storage of pool chemicals to help prevent injuries. The agency also advises maintaining appropriate disinfectant and pH levels, encouraging swimmers to shower before entering the pool and keeping anyone with diarrhea out of the water to reduce the risk of recreational water illnesses.

For insurance professionals, swimming pools present an opportunity to educate policyholders on both loss prevention and coverage adequacy.

In the slideshow above, we'll look at six pool safety tips for homeowners to get ahead of summertime accidents, courtesy of AAA.

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