• Swimming pools require safety measures.surface of swimming-pool image by Ivan Hafizov from Fotolia.com
  
  Home swimming pools provide hours of entertainment and exercise. Having a home swimming pool also provides relief from sweltering temperatures. Unfortunately, there are dangers associated with home swimming pools. Accidents and drownings are tragic and leave the homeowner vulnerable to litigation. There are no federal laws regarding home swimming pool safety. Each state sets its own rules and guidelines for homeowners on how to own a home swimming pool and be safe.
  
  

Florida

• The state of Florida requires that all home swimming pools have a barrier around them. The barrier must be at least 4 feet in height and circle the entire perimeter of the pool. The barrier must be free of any gaps or spaces that a young child could crawl through. The barrier must also be placed far enough away from the pool edge so a person that manages to get through the barrier doesn't immediately fall into the water. Above ground pools offer their own natural barrier. Finally, gates attached to the pool barrier must open outward.
  
  

Arizona

• The state of Arizona classifies a swimming pool as any body of water 18 inches or more in depth and more than 8 feet across at any point. The body of water also must be intended for swimming. Any body of water that is classified as a swimming pool in the state of Arizona must have an enclosure of at least 5 feet in height surrounding its perimeter. The wall or barrier must be free of any spaces that an object of more than 4 inches could pass through. Gates are permitted but must be self-closing and self-latching. The latch must be at least 54 inches above ground.
  
  

New York

• The state of New York defines a swimming pool as any body of water that is 24 inches or more in depth. Swimming pools must have a barrier that is at least 48 inches in height and surrounds the entire perimeter of the pool. Above-ground pools require barriers, but they may be at ground level or on top. The space under the pool barrier cannot be more than 4 inches. A wall can serve as part of the barrier; however, if the pool is in the home, then the pool must have a cover and an alarm.