The Hanover Insurance Group Offers Do's And Don'ts For Pool Safety

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Jun 20, 2013, 03:01 ET

WORCESTER, Mass., June 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Every year more than 600 people drown in swimming pools, with half of the tragedies occurring in the backyards of single-family homes. To help reduce the risk of pool-related injuries and deaths, The Hanover Insurance Group (NYSE: THG) is offering some simple do's and don'ts for keeping people safe in pools this summer.

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"Most accidents occur when children wander into an unsecured pool area or are not properly supervised by adults responsible for their safety," said Mark R. Desrochers, president, personal lines insurance at The Hanover. "Supervision, combined with a variety of other precautions, is the key toward preventing serious injuries and even death."

DO:

DO have family rules for your pool, ensure everyone knows them, and restate them often
DO install fencing to keep people out of the pool area without your knowledge and make sure to LOCK it. Most communities require fencing at least four feet high around all sides of the pool. Determine specific regulations for your area
DO teach kids about the risks of a pool
DO outline the importance of pool safety for babysitters and other guardians
DO keep a telephone in the pool area and post 9-1-1 and other emergency numbers nearby
DO teach your children to swim. If they are not able to swim ensure they wear protective floatation devices, but never rely solely on floatation devices or swimming lessons to protect your child
DO keep children away from the filter inlet, which can be hazardous to young children by drawing them under water
DO evacuate the pool in the rain or an electrical storm
DO collect all toys from the pool so that children don't wander after them
DO make sure all gates, safety covers and alarms are working properly when leaving the pool area

DON'T:

DON'T leave children unattended, even for a minute, in or near the pool area for any reason. 70 percent of drowning victims were out of sight for less than five minutes
DON'T swim alone
DON'T allow running, diving, pushing or dunking in or around your pool
DON'T allow glass or sharp, breakable items in the pool area
DON'T allow anyone who has been drinking alcohol into the pool area. Alcohol and swimming are an unsafe combination
DON'T keep plug-in electrical devices like radios, TV, speakers, etc. near the pool

For more information on how to keep yourself and your family safe around pools, please visit www.hanoverlosscontrol.com.

ABOUT THE HANOVER

The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc., based in Worcester, Mass., is one of the top 25 property and casualty insurers in the United States. For more than 160 years, The Hanover has provided a wide range of property and casualty products and services to businesses, individuals, and families. The Hanover distributes its products through a select group of agents and brokers. Through its international member company, Chaucer, The Hanover also underwrites business at Lloyd's of London in several major insurance and reinsurance classes including political risk, marine, aviation and energy. For more information, please visit hanover.com.

CONTACT:
Amy Banek
Media Relations
[email protected]
(508) 855-4486

The recommendation(s), advice and contents of this material are provided for informational purposes only and do not purport to address every possible legal obligation, hazard, code violation, loss potential or exception to good practice. The Hanover Insurance Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries ("The Hanover") specifically disclaim any warranty or representation that acceptance of any recommendations or advice contained herein will make any premises, property or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation. Under no circumstances should this material or your acceptance of any recommendations or advice contained herein be construed as establishing the existence or availability of any insurance coverage with The Hanover. By providing this information to you, The Hanover does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you. The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.

SOURCE The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc.