Greg discusses safety tips for any swimming pools you have on your property in this episode of Ask The Expert. 800 CHAB radio presents Ask the Expert with Greg Marcyniuk of Heritage Insurance located in Moose Jaw.
Here's a full transcript of the episode.
Rob Carnie: Greg Marcyniuk, insurance expert from Heritage Insurance in downtown Moose Jaw, on Ask the Expert today. And today, we're talking about pools.
Greg, we know our friends at Watervision Pools and Spas just can't get them in fast enough. Our outdoor pool here in Moose Jaw, due to COVID-19 this year, just isn't opening, so a lot of people are buying pools and spas. And with that, a lot of people are phoning you wondering about insurance on those pools and spas.
Greg Marcyniuk: Yes, they are, Rob, and it is important. If it's an above-ground pool, typically, it does form part of your belongings. If it's an in-ground pool, then it forms part of your home, and you do have to get a hold of us.
And there are extra liabilities there when you do install a pool. So, like anything new, here's some tips just to really be aware of the pool and what you should be doing.
First and foremost, you should always watch your children when they're in a pool. And not only the pool, but people also have been buying hot tubs. So it's a good idea if you've got multiple adults there and multiple children there - make sure you're doing your distancing, but assign a designated amount of time for each parent to watch the kids. So that way, there's no lapse in supervision.
Also, please put your phone away, your laptops - because a lot of time, parents and adults will just sit there, check emails or social media, and/or talk on the phones. And that means you're not paying close enough attention to the children. Great idea to teach basic water safety tips. And also, please enroll the kids in swimming lessons.
And never swim alone. Always, use a buddy system. Make sure you do have a buddy. And again, don't forget the hot tub just because hot water can quickly affect a child's small body. And you should limit the amount of time a child spends in the tub. Keep children away from pool drains, pipes, and other openings to avoid entrapment.
And please, don't rely on fun toys as far as a personal flotation device - such as water rings or noodles. If they can't swim, your child just wear a personal flotation device, period. And make sure that it's an appropriate one and that it fits correctly. And have items close to the pool such as a phone, a first-aid kit, a flotation device, and a pair of scissors to cut hair in the event or clothing if something happens where it gets caught in the drain at all.
If a child is missing, always look for them first either in a pool or the spa, and share safety instructions with family, friends, and neighbors. Make sure that you learn CPR and that children and/or adults do learn CPR as well. And update those regularly.
And you do have to have a fence. Check your city bylaws. I know if you're outside, you should have a minimum of a five-foot or taller fence around the pool, and it should be self-closing and self-latching. Install and use lockable safety covers on your spa and pool. And also, if your house serves as the foreside of the fence, Rob, you want to make sure that those windows have latches on them, so kids can't crawl out through the middle of the night and go swimming.
And as well, have a little alarm on that door, and you should have pool and gate alarms on for children so that you know whether they're trying to get in there. And make sure that your spa cover and your pool cover is not torn, that's they're in good repair. And if it's not, you should purchase a new one.
And just a great idea to keep those things in place.
Rob: So much fun, but safety is so important if you have an above-ground or in-ground pool. And if you have any insurance questions, Heritage Insurance is the place to go.
Greg: That's correct. Check us out online, or come on down to the corner of First and Fairford Street West.
(Video transcription by Speechpad)