It’s that time of year again: the days are getting longer, the sun is out, and many people are opening up their swimming pools for the summer. There’s not much that is more fun and relaxing than spending a hot summer day swimming and lounging poolside. But it’s important to remember that swimming pools are dangerous, and can be deadly, if they are not monitored properly.

In the U.S., there are about 10 unintentional drownings a day, and 1 in 5 of those involves a child under the age of 15. No one wants to be responsible for an avoidable tragedy like a pool drowning, and it is important to take some time every year to be sure that you are creating a safe environment, especially for young swimmers, at your pool. One of the best ways to do this, beyond the mandatory requirements, such as perimeter fencing,  is to establish a set of pool rules, and to ensure that your pool guests obey them. Here is a good set of basic pool safety rules and tips here.

But, these safety rules should be personalized for your pool.

Over the years, we’ve handled tragic pool drowning cases that have led to wrongful death claims. Especially in these cases, we know that “an ounce of prevention” is always the best approach to keeping pool season safe and fun.