It's summertime and we all dream about having that private backyard pool, but it is a lot more work than you think. 

The homeowner is responsible for anyone who swims in the pool and the pool must adhere to regulations set out by the municipality. 

“Within the city, you do have to install a fence around private swimming pools and you want to make sure that it's locked,” said Greg Marcyniuk, owner of Heritage Insurance. 

Marcyniuk offered up some tips to help protect yourself against a liability claim. 

First, make sure that you maintain proper pool hygiene, which includes properly filtering your pool and keeping up with the chemical treatments. Those chemicals should also be stored in a cool, dry place away from any fire hazards or lawn care chemicals such as fertilizer. 

Babies should wear swim diapers or swimmers and any open wounds or sores should be kept out of the water. 

There should be a good non-slip surface around the pool area to avoid any slips and falls. 

“Make sure that the area around your pool is clean of any standing puddles of water, as all of those increase the potential for accidents, and with those accidents can come a liability claim,” Marcyniuk said. 

The homeowner is also responsible for knowing everyone’s swimming ability when they get into the pool. Children should have a parent or guardian nearby and those who can’t swim should wear a lifejacket or floatation device. 

Homeowners that are installing a pool should also consider taking a CPR or first aid course in case of emergency. 

Finally, if you are getting a pool, you should let your insurance broker know. 

“You have to have special coverage in place because there is a liability," explains Marcyniuk. “And if you don't notify your broker that you do have a pool, you're opening yourself up to a huge exposure because your policy may or may not correspond.”