Unfortunately, apartment complex swimming pools are often unsupervised and swimming pool safety features are not typically within a resident’s control, leaving many parents concerned for the safety of their children. Thus, it is imperative that apartment owners and managers implement proper swimming area safety measures to protect residents and guests.
The Property Management Insider urges apartment owners and management companies to keep swimming pools and spas safe for their residents by adhering to state swimming pool regulations and by implementing the following safety guidelines:
Have the Appropriate Equipment
- Fences or barriers – a physical obstacle that surrounds an outdoor pool or spa so that access to the water is limited to adults – should be installed and checked for reliability. A successful pool barrier prevents a child from getting over, under or through it to gain access to the pool or spa.
- The pool or spa should be checked to ensure compliance with federal and local laws and regulations.
- Safety drain covers compliant with the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act should be in place.
- Pool and spa pumps should be checked to ensure proper operation.
- Life-saving equipment such as life rings and reaching poles should be easily accessible.
Ask Yourself
- Are there water safety rules posted in a visible area for adults and children to review?
- If your property has no lifeguard, does your staff periodically monitor the pool or spa when it’s in heavy use or during special events?
- Do you recommend to residents who use the pool to bring their cell phone in case of emergency?
Train Your Staff in Water Safety
- Property staff members should be trained and certified in first aid and emergency response.
- Staff members should know how to perform CPR on children and adults. Training should be regularly updated.
- Understanding the basics of life-saving – for any staff member on site – can mean the difference between life and death during a pool emergency.
Resident Rights
Apartment residents have a right to feel safe and secure while on premises. By law, Georgia apartment owners are required to protect all residents and guests legally on the premises from any foreseeable harm.
We Fight for Victims of Apartment Safety Negligence in Georgia…Contact us Now for a Free Consultation.
We represent our Clients on a contingency agreement, which generally means that no fees or payments are owed until and unless we recover. Anyone seeking further information or legal representation is encouraged to contact us at 888.842.1616. Consultations are free and confidential.
Choosing the Right Attorney
Selecting the right attorney for you or your family is highly important. You must feel confident that the attorney you hire has a complete understanding of the law applicable to your particular case, and has successful experience in handling such cases.
Important: Do not hire a lawyer who has violated the Rules of Professional Conduct!!!
You should not hire an attorney who calls you or visits you unsolicited, or anyone that contacts you directly to offer legal services. This activity is strictly prohibited by Rule 7.3 of the American Bar Association (ABA) Model Rules of Professional Conduct, which states as follows:
– RULE 7.3, ABA MODEL RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT.
If an attorney, or someone acting on behalf of an attorney, contacts you in this manner, that attorney is in violation of this Rule. This unethical and unprofessional activity on the part of the lawyer is good sign that you should stay away. It is imperative that you are represented by an attorney who is capable of advocating for you within the confines of the law, and an attorney who fails to abide by the Rules of Professional Conduct is probably not the best fit. In fact, any such attorney should be immediately reported to the local State Bar Association. If you have been contacted in such an unsolicited manner, contact us and we’ll assist you in filing a report.
Contingency Fees Disclaimer: “Contingent attorneys’ fees refers only to those fees charged by attorneys for their legal services. Such fees are not permitted in all types of cases. Court costs and other additional expenses of legal action usually must be paid by the client.”