Pool vandalism costs neighborhoods and HOAs millions of dollars each year, from paint and bubbles dumped in the water to graffiti painted on the walls. Unauthorized pool usage can cost organizations far more in liability lawsuits if the person is injured or drowns while trespassing. This article, for pool managers and those seeking to bring the highest level of security and protection to their neighborhood pool, provides direct and applicable advice that could save your organization money as well as the tragic loss of life.
Adequate pool security requires layers of protection – protection for yourself AND the trespasser. This article outlines the following layers for total pool security:
1) Install Secure Pool Fences and Gates
2) Post Security Signage
3) Security Lighting is a Must
4) Live Pool Surveillance Cameras
5) Alert the Neighbors and Ask Them for Help
6) Acquire Extensive Liability Insurance
7) Provide Adequate Pool Maintenance
8) Keep Life Saving Equipment Devices Nearby and Highly Visible
1) Install Secure Pool Fences and Gates
Every community has different regulations regarding what constitutes adequate fencing around a public – or even private – swimming pool. At a minimum you should meet these requirements. For keeping small children out the fence should be at 4 feet high at a minimum. To keep out vandals and unauthorized night time swimmers consider a taller security fence with the following characteristics:
-8 feet tall at minimum
-Minimize gates
-Secure the fence to the ground
-Fence must provide visibility to the outside
Further security fencing material:
Pool Fence and Safety
How Secure is Your Construction Security Fence?
2) Post Security Signage
“Adequate” signage is in the eye of the judge trying your potential liability case. Fix bright signs that pronounce hours of operation and warnings of some of your security layers every twenty to thirty feet around the fence. Signs will deter the more timid trespassers and transfer some liability to those who choose to enter after hours.
3) Security Lighting is a Must
Security lighting enables people on the outside to see clearly what’s going on. Strategically placed lighting means that there’s no glare in the eyes of potential observers. As a general rule of thumb adequate lighting allows you to clearly identify a face from 100 feet. The best way to evaluate your security lighting is to go to the pool at night and see it for yourself. Find the pockets of shadows that would allow intruders to operate without fear of detection.
Further security lighting material:
5 Security Lighting Tips For Your Construction Site
4) Live Pool Surveillance Cameras
Nothing scares away trespassers like a security guard monitoring the pool by video. Give that guard the ability to flick on strobe lights and sirens and you’ll see your intruders turning tail and running. This following video will give you some idea of the power of live pool surveillance guards at work:
Further live pool surveillance information:
Contact Pro-Vigil for more details
5) Alert the Neighbors and Ask Them for Help
One of the most powerful forces of security is an active, engaged neighborhood watch. Sponsor a pool party for your neighborhood watch and invite them to help you protect their children – who are often the ones who put themselves at risk. Asking neighboring homes and businesses to keep an eye out can put a real dent in your instances of vandalism and unauthorized pool usage.
More neighborhood watch materials:
Effective Neighborhood Security: 10 Strategies for Community Security Organizers
6) Acquire Extensive Liability Insurance
Part of having adequate pool security includes protecting yourself from the fullest possible extent of liability. Do your research to determine how courts tend to decide cases in your area and talk with your lawyers about what dollar amount of liability insurance your pool should acquire. If possible, have neighbors and regular pool users sign non-liability waivers.
7) Provide Adequate Pool Maintenance
A clean, tidy pool is less likely to attract vandals and unauthorized "dippers." Further, if your pool is adequately maintained you reduce your potential liability should someone injure themselves while trespassing. This includes keeping up with repairs and even water quality issues. Consider a pool maintenance service for this – especially one that assumes liability for any maintenance issues.
8) Keep Life Saving Equipment Devices Nearby and Highly Visible
If you haven’t provided adequate life saving devices – that are well lit and highly visible – the pool owners and operators could be found negligent. Keep your life saving devices well lit at night and make sure they are easily accessible.
Swimming pools can add immensely to the general health and well being of any community. Make sure that your neighborhood swimming pool is a source of recreation and fun rather than a drain on community funds… or even a source of tragedy.
Further pool security resources:
Swimming Pool Management
Swimming Accidents: Drowning, Injuries and Liability
The Google Earth gatecrashers who take uninvited dips in home-owners’ swimming pools
Swimming Pools – Safety Is No Accident
