Pool and Hot Tub Inspections
Pools are fun, but children and adults can lose their life quickly. Over 4000 lives annually are lost with one-third under the age of 14. A child can drown in the time it takes to answer a phone. A swimming pool is 14 times more likely than a motor vehicle to be involved in the death of a child age 4 and under. An estimated 5,000 children ages 14 and under are hospitalized due to near-drownings each year; 15 percent die in the hospital and as many as 20 percent suffer severe, permanent brain damage. Of all preschoolers who drown, 70 percent are in the care of one or both parents at the time of the drowning and 75 percent are missing from sight for five minutes or less. Drowning surpasses all other causes of death to children age 14 and under in Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington.
A pool alarm with a loud speaker system to sound outside as well as inside the home could save a life. Even if you do not have children you should be concerned. 35% of children that drowned did so in someone else’s pool. For more info, do an Internet search on pool safety.
Pool/Hot Tub Inspection Items:
- Operational condition
- Liner condition
- Surface walls and floor
- Accessories condition
- Pumps for circulating of water
- Pumps for vacuum or cleaning
- Heaters
- Verify electrical outlets and any lighting are on a Ground Fault Circuit
- Overflow skimmers and drains
- Chemicals for cleaning supplies capable of being stored with a lock
- Pool rescue equipment
- Inspect steps and ladders
- Markings for pool depth
- Check for safe diving depth
- Check for obstructions that would prevent full view of pool from home
- Is the pool fenced?
- Does the fence have a self-closing latch and lock on door?
- Check latch height to ensure children cannot reach to open gate
- Electric lights secure
- Proper water level
- Safety issues
- Proper surface water drainage
