How to Avoid Pool Slips in Your HOA
The weather is starting to heat up, and visitors from all over the world are vacationing in sunny Florida. That means more people will be using the pool now and in the summer months. Learn how to avoid pool slips in your HOA with the following advice.
Post Signage
Create signage that cautions residents to walk and not run around the pool. Also, advising them to wear proper footwear in the designated area is beneficial. If you have employees serving residents, they should also be required to wear slip-resistant shoes where appropriate.
Check Slip and Friction Levels
Know the proper friction coefficient for a deck, wet stairs, and other walkable surfaces in the pool and pool area. Test the friction level and hire an expert to adjust it if it's too low. Also, ensure appropriate matting is in place in the proper areas.
Regularly Inspect the Property
Staff should regularly examine the areas around the pool. Mark any changes in height or elevation. Pool safety, including efforts to reduce slip-and-fall risks, is an ongoing issue for any association. Vigilance and attention to detail are critical to keeping the pool area safe.
Perform Safety Checks
Schedule and maintain records of regular safety checks. Look for pool toys or obstructions in walkways and other high-traffic areas on the property. Clean any slippery algae off surfaces. Document all safety check efforts and cleaning processes.
Overall, conducting regular inspections keeps your HOA or COA on top of security risks, maintenance, and building problems. A thorough inspection should do the following:
Increase the safety, health, and welfare of all association members and guests. Regular inspections ensure your HOA community is a safe place to live. One significant area of liability for HOAs is slip-and-fall accidents, which indicate the need for frequent checks of sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, and roadways throughout the property. Always inspect surfaces for unevenness.
Identify problem areas before something worse happens. Suppose deterioration of standard amenities is detected early. In that case, it could save the HOA money before the damage becomes even more costly.
The Liability of Pool Slips
According to HOA Resources.com, an association with a pool should always have excess insurance coverage over its $1 million primary liability insurance regardless of its size or depth because of slip and fall accidents.
Slip-and-falls account for more than 1 million emergency room visits every year. They are the leading cause of workers' compensation claims and cost billions of dollars annually. These issues often lead to higher claims against property owners responsible for a fall area.
There has been a recent trend in slip-and-falls related to pool usage, causing significant injuries. For this reason, high excess limits are desirable. Most slips, trips, and falls are preventable. So making proactive safety measures is the responsible choice.
Contact Us
Please don't hesitate to reach out to Condominium Associates for advice. We are here to make sure your home is a safe and welcoming place!
