Not a summer goes by without devastating news stories about injury or death in a swimming pool. In fact, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that about 300 children younger than 5 drown in swimming pools each year, and that each year more than 2,000 children require emergency room treatment due to submersion in swimming pools.

Of course, it’s not only young children who are vulnerable to pool dangers. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the fifth leading cause of unintentional injury death for people of all ages.

Stay safe this summer—and all year-round—by following these pool safety tips.

• Keep an eye on children when they are in or near the pool or spa.
• Install pool and gate alarms to alert you when children go near the pool.
• Perform regular checks on your pool cover to ensure it is in good working order.
• Be sure that children and adults who use your pool understand basic water safety:

1. Don’t swim alone.
2. Don’t eat or chew gum while swimming.
3. Know where lifesaving equipment is and how to use it.
4. Don’t run near the pool, where slick tiles can make it easy to slip and fall.

And to make sure this summer's a really safe one, consider these questions:

• While hosting a pool party, will you have a lifeguard?
• Do you permit neighbors to use your pool while you are away?
• Do you permit your children to invite friends over to use the pool while you’re out of the house?
• Do you keep life preservers on hand?

Beall Financial and Insurance Services has been working with property owners for more than 25 years to help them protect their most important assets: home, health, and business. If you have questions about insurance coverage for your home or business, contact us.