Florida Laws on Swimming Pool Safety

• Florida Laws on Swimming Pool Safety

The Delray Beach Personal Injury Attorneys at the Law Offices of Aronberg & Aronberg, Injury Law Firm would like you to be educated about Florida Laws for swimming pools. While swimming pools provide entertainment and relaxation for all ages, the water can be extremely dangerous if the proper precautions are ignored. Drowning is the leading cause of death of young children in Florida. Homeowners can be held liable for any injuries sustained around the pool unless these safety precautions are taken seriously.

Pool Barriers

Private swimming pools must be in compliance with a set of Florida Statutes. You may want read the Swimming Pool Florida Statutes or see our summary below.

There Florida Statutes discuss the height, placement and type of barriers that are used to keep children, elderly and the disabled away from the pool without proper supervision. Specifically, in-ground pools must feature a surrounding barrier that is at least 48 inches high. The barrier must have a ground clearance of no more than 2 inches. Above-ground pool barriers must have walls that are at least 4 feet high. Above-ground pool barriers with ladders used for entrance must be equipped with a lock on the ladder to restrict access from children. Gate doors surrounding a pool area must open away from the pool and automatically latch closed once released. The lock must be on the pool side of the gate and 54 inches from the bottom of the gate. Child barriers may be added, but must be placed no less than 20 inches from the water’s edge.

If the pool deck is connected to the house, the homes’ doors and windows must be equipped with an alarm system to alert the homeowner when someone steps out to the pool. Alternatively, the homeowner may install a special alarm in the pool that goes off when there is a disturbance in the water.

Pool Decking

Pool owners should also be aware that many injuries occur as a result of Slip & Falls on the pool deck. When selecting a deck material, special attention should be paid to the coefficient of friction of the decking selected. Some pools decks are fitted with beautiful marble or stone, but those surfaces tend to get very slippery. Pool owners should also use a non-skid paint on the pool deck.

Pool Safety Attorneys

Please contact the Law Offices of Aronberg & Aronberg, Injury Law Firm if you have any questions about pool safety. Our phone number is 561-266-9191. We have offices in Delray Beach, Boca Raton and Wellington, Florida.

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