Thread: Pros and cons of a back yard swimming pool.

Originally Posted by YankeeMary

I certainly hope this wasn't directed at me. I have a 3 year old and there is no way in the world I would have a pool without a fence around it, with only a back door keeping her out of it. And obviously you have wonderful fantastic neighbors...I do not. We live on a rural road with heavy fast traffic and the neighbors 3-4 year older is constantly wandering alone around this area. Why would I with even a little bit of common sense not only protect me but this poor little girl that is constantly without supervision??? That doesn't make any sense. I also don't want people in my pool when I am not home. A fence makes it harder for people to get in. (I have had this happen.) I don't worry about getting sued. I worry about the guilt I would feel for the rest of my life if a small child drowned in my pool because I didn't have the responsibilty to put up a fence. I am a responsible adult. I am a responsible pet owner. My dogs are kept in their yard by a fence, they are up to date on their shots, they have fresh food and water and are indoors more then outdoors. When my yard needs mowed, we mow it. When the trash needs taken out we take it out. When my children are outside they are supervised. Its called being a responsible adult thats just what you do. Not everyone does the responsible thing.

I direct those comments to anyone who lives their lives in fear of being sued or something bad happening -- why direct your fear only at swimming pools, your yard and your home is a hazzard in so many ways, ways most people never consider -- what if a young child wandered into your fenced in yard and your dog attacked and mauled them -- you still don't have them penned up and muzzled because of a "what if"

Originally Posted by sunniekiss

In the law of torts, the attractive nuisance doctrine states that landowner may be held liable for injuries to children trespassing on the land if the injury is caused by a hazardous object or condition on the land that is likely to attract children who are unable to appreciate the risk posed by the object or condition. The doctrine has been applied to hold landowners liable for injuries caused by abandoned cars, piles of lumber or sand, trampolines, and swimming pools. However, it can be applied to virtually anything on the property of the landowner

exactly -- so I would hope your houses are small fort knoxes and you don't let anyone in -- because WHAT IF!?

Originally Posted by 3lilpigs

What the heck?? Why so much money on chemicals?? Does your pool turn green fast or something?

I wonder if the water has anything to do with it, ....being in different parts of the country??

I put a shock treatment (one bag) in my pool every week ($3-4), and the chlorine for the summer only costs me about $50.

My parents have the same pool as sunniekiss, and they don't spend that much time or money on theirs either.

Interesting.

I'm just a believer in the water being in check to swim in -- our water is usually crystal clear so much that it sparkles -- I have learned that it doesn't mean your pool is safe to swim in -- sometimes your pool can be crystal clear but so acidic that nothing is able to grow in it and is corosive to your skin.

Originally Posted by Breezin

I direct those comments to anyone who lives their lives in fear of being sued or something bad happening -- why direct your fear only at swimming pools, your yard and your home is a hazzard in so many ways, ways most people never consider -- what if a young child wandered into your fenced in yard and your dog attacked and mauled them -- you still don't have them penned up and muzzled because of a "what if"

Kinda hard to live with the death of a child that could have been prevented. If a young child wanders into my 8 foot stockade fence with electric around the bottom of it, well then my dogs should be worried. We fenced in our yard because I don't want my dogs running off and being a pain to my neighbors nor do I want other peoples dogs pooping in my yard or digging out my trash. I think that is pretty reasonable as well as responsible. We didn't do it because of "what if". If you work hard and own your own home and vehicles then certainly you can understand why people might worry about losing it all because of something as silly as a fence. There is a reason there is insurance out there, it is for "what ifs". I am sure you have insurance on your vehicle just in case of a "what if" also if you own your home you have insurance just in case of "what if". So obviously you are including yourself in your statement.

Originally Posted by YankeeMary

Kinda hard to live with the death of a child that could have been prevented. If a young child wanders into my 8 foot stockade fence with electric around the bottom of it, well then my dogs should be worried. We fenced in our yard because I don't want my dogs running off and being a pain to my neighbors nor do I want other peoples dogs pooping in my yard or digging out my trash. I think that is pretty reasonable as well as responsible. We didn't do it because of "what if". If you work hard and own your own home and vehicles then certainly you can understand why people might worry about losing it all because of something as silly as a fence. There is a reason there is insurance out there, it is for "what ifs". I am sure you have insurance on your vehicle just in case of a "what if" also if you own your home you have insurance just in case of "what if". So obviously you are including yourself in your statement.

You're willing to live with the guilt of the death of a child by not muzzling your dogs -- if you are going to be paranoid about the pool -- it doesn't make sense not to be paranoid about EVERYTHING.

Insurance in NYS is required by law on all vehicles and it is required if you have a mortgage on your home -- no getting around it so it's not by choice.

Originally Posted by Breezin

exactly -- so I would hope your houses are small fort knoxes and you don't let anyone in -- because WHAT IF!?

You will be surprised to know that I agree with you totally. There are way too many frivilous lawsuits & way too many irresponsible parents. My parents had a pool ever since I was a small child so I was taught to swim at a young age as were my sons when I put my pool in. I was along taught to not go on to anyone's property without permission.
Today we have essentially babies making babies. It just seems like too many parents take a pass on the task of rasing their children.

3 pigs...I let my pool get away from me last year. We didn't really have a summer last year so I put off buying a new filter. I ordered one a month ago & was sent the wrong one so I had to send it back. It will be crystal by the weekend.

That $50 bottle of Baqucil will cost me $25 after Labor Day so I stock-up then.

Just for the record... I have a fence lol

3lilpgs - We had to use 2 bags of shock per week, plus we bought two huge tubs of chlorine tabs ($160 for both) and then there is the algae treatment (if needed) and there are two chemicals for the ph balance. There were a few more things too but can't remember what they were. It sure adds up though. I am sure we could have swam in clear, but under chlorinated water, but DH has a city license to take care of public pools, so he was really anal about the chemicals

A lot of the cost really depends on the size of the pool too. Thats why we went with the salt water system.

Originally Posted by Breezin

If you read what I originally wrote, your property here does need a fence and there are requirements with that fence, but your pool does not, if a small child gets into my fenced in yard that child's parent is responsible.

Lets just say I keep my dogs in my fenced in yard and a small child wanders in and the dog defending her property attacks the child -- who would be responsible for that?

Well considering a burglar can successfully sue a home owner for falling through a sky light... I would imagine YOU would.

***UPDATE*** I came home from work last night to a crystal clear pool!!! YEA ME!!! My Dad always told me I work too hard against my pool & that I should just allow the chemicals & filter to do their job. Now if it would just get warm enough to swim again. Going to be in the 60's & raining tomorrow...sigh!