---
slug: safety-standard-to-know-by-vacation-pool
title: Safety Standard To Know By Vacation Pool/Backyard Rentals 
author: Sana Naz
author_title: A business management academic with corporate sector experience. Sana has been writing for over six years now and she is a keen blogger.
author_url: '#'
author_image_url: https://i.imgur.com/6oEUEN4.jpeg
tags: [pool, backyard rentals, health]
---

If you are a pool owner who frequently rents a pool to outside parties, this article helps you make this pool rental experience safe and memorable for your guests. In a fast-rising pool rental industry, it is important to stand out from the crowd to get more bookings and positive reviews. One of the ideal ways of doing so is emphasizing the numerous amenities your pool has to offer. With summer at its peak, promoting your pool uniquely can surely set you apart but what you might not think of right away is the peril related to this particular amenity. Amenities like a pool or lakefront property necessitate more attention to ensure your guests' safety. In this article, we will highlight the safety standards that the vacation pool or the backyard rentals must know, including the risks associated with pools, diving slides and boards, depth markers, pool floats, and toys and rescue equipment.

## What is “Negligence”?

Before going into pool specifics, you should know what negligence is as it relates to vacation rentals and why understanding is so important.

Simply saying, negligence is an inability to “take care in doing something”. Once a person agrees to pay you for the service like renting your pool, you must take more care in assessing risks in your pool area. “Negligence” puts you in a place where a renter and their lawyer might see a chance to prove that their loss or injury happened because of your carelessness towards the pool safety details.

When it comes to U.S. lawsuits, someone can sue you for just about anything, and there are infinite chances for accidents in a holiday home. This is indeed where the insurance comes in. However, even the insurance has some limitations, and if your guest can prove your carelessness caused their loss or injury, the more likely you are to surpass your insurance liability limits. On the other hand, the more you emphasize safety in your home the less chance for negligence on your part. If there were any injuries, this work would not just increase your insurance company’s probability of winning the case but also significantly decrease the potential payout imposed by a judge. 

## Why do pools have a high risk?

From an insurance viewpoint, claims because of injury at a pool are common, so anything you may do to decrease risk at this exposure is a good place to start. The certainty is you just do not know who is staying in your pool rental and their skill to swim may differ widely. Removing hazards like slides, diving boards, and non-certified floatation devices can significantly lessen the likelihood of an accident. Many listings skip addressing such issues since it is not a requirement or they do not think they will get as many bookings without such features. Most simply do not even think about the risk.  

## Slides and Diving Boards

Slides and diving boards are fun elements at pools for children and adults, but there is a vast liability concern when it is about offering such elements to your short-term pool rental guests. 

Unlike government or public pools, there is no lifeguard on duty if someone is injured using the diving board. It is also hard to know the skills of your guests, and if they understand how to use such items safely. This brings to your business needless legal risks in the case of any injury. For these and other reasons, numerous insurance providers might necessitate you to eliminate your diving board and slides to reduce the liability concern and possibility of negligence on your part.  

## Depth Markers

Depth markers are a security measure you will see at any public pool like a city pool or your local hotel. With depth markers placed on all four sides of the pool, guests and guests are warned and can review their and their children’s swimming abilities accordingly. The standard should be the same for your short-term pool rental.  

Having “warning” notices in place can significantly lessen your negligence if a guest were to be hurt at your pool. In addition to the depth markers, you usually see a ‘no diving’ sign at the shallow end. These facts are vital safety reminders for your pool guests.  

If there were an accident, your insurance carrier will have a better chance of succeeding on a verdict if a guest and their lawyer see an opportunity to claim their injury was due to your negligence.

## Rescue Equipment

Rescue equipment must be your priority for your pool rental guests. When you go to some hotel and use their pool, you will see all kinds of warnings, equipment, and waivers in the water area. Rescue equipment like lifesaving pool rings or buoys is always portrayed on a surrounding wall or somewhere near the pool. You can bet the hotel is going to use all precautions to ensure their guests remain safe, and it should be the same for you as a short-term pool rental host. 

We have already highlighted that you do not know the skills of your guests, and giving rescue equipment could help your pool guests remain safe if there is an accident. Including such safety equipment will also help your insurance carrier fight a lawsuit if your guests are injured. 

## Floats & Pool Toys

While it is not a barrier to entry for the insurance, providing floats and pool toys to your pool guests could escalate your liability exposure. The reason is that by offering them your rental you are unconsciously encouraging those who might not be the best swimmers to go for a pool dip, which could eventually result in drowning.  

Some floatation tools like life vests are certified by the U.S. coast guard and come with appropriate use instructions. Your insurance company might recommend that you just give these devices as they are rated for safe use. Others are just buoyant materials that might pop or cannot hold a floating guest. It is recommended to keep such stuff away from your pool rental.

## Get Peace of Mind with Proper Underwriting

Satisfactory safety standards for the pools (depth markers, no diving board, rescue equipment, etc.) are an underwriting necessity of various insurance carriers since they are a ‘known risk’, meaning they have experienced many lawsuits involving such items in the past. Underwriters might ask that you make modifications to your property like adding depth markers on four sides of the pool to sustain the insurance contract, however, if there is any injury at your property your liability insurance will come into place. 

While such a requirement might seem like a barrier to entry, there is usually a grace period in which the underwriters will inform you of potential risks and provide you an opportunity to rectify the issue without a coverage gap. Choosing an insurance carrier with underwriters knowledgeable with short-term rentals is a big help since they will evaluate your property for the potential risks. They have seen hundreds of listings and lawsuits making it easy for them to recognize issues before the accident. 

Eventually, when accidents occur, you must call your insurance carrier. If the property is underwritten and insured as per its use as a short-term rental you can have the liability coverage. For this reason, it’s significant to be open with your insurance carrier and confirm to have safety measures in place that are proper for commercial use, not just your personal use.  The more you pay attention to the recommendations of the underwriters, the safer you and your property will be from any damage or losses. 

## Use fences

Install a safety fence or gate around the pool to help ensure the safety of persons necessitating supervision and children.

A gate containing a highly placed lock safeguards against small children having unsupervised access.

Moreover, check that pool covers are in use and working properly.

It is always recommended to be aware of the local regulations to confirm necessities for pool fences, gates, and covers.

If your pool already has a fence, you can let people know by choosing that you have one in your property editor.

## Ensure Regular Pool Maintenance

Poorly maintained pools make a property less desirable and lead to many kinds of accidents.

It is imperative to keep your pool clean and safe with the below tips.

- **Weekly tasks:**

Remove debris, from the surface of the water as well as the bottom of the pool

Maintain salt levels or chlorine levels

Inspect the water level and adjust as required

View the filter pressure and backwash as required

- **Monthly tasks:**

Test for the water hardness (calcium content), dissolved solids, PH levels, and add chemicals as desired

Clean your pool filter

Check the working of the pump and motor

- **Additional tasks, as required:**

Be updated on the local pool rules and safety changes

Read local laws and regulations for pool areas

Schedule tasks and ensure maintenance services are performed on time

Monitor access, pool furniture storage, and chemical storage 

Access the need for safety equipment and manage the same from appropriate vendors

Monitor locker, restroom, and shower facilities and keep them clean

Monitor rule implementation and field any issues and complaints

You can do such chores yourself; however, it is better to contract a handyperson to do it for you before and after every rental session. Irrespective, property managers must keep a regular check on the pool system to guarantee that safety measures are in place. 

## Final Thoughts

With a focus on safety measures and smart safety moves, you can rent out your pools with confidence. 
