Kids pool hopping

[Darcy03231]

This is one of the biggest reasons why we got rid of our pool (the other being we inherited a lake house). According to our insurance agent even though the yard was fenced and locked and the pool had a separate locked fence around it and we had a pool alarm, if one of the kids sneaking in got hurt, we were liable.

 

[Tink888]

I'm not defending the kids, I'd be annoyed as all get up but I can't believe that you have a locked gate around the pool and aren't locking it. It just screams lawsuit waiting to happen IMHO.

 

[mhsjax]

This is one of the biggest reasons why we got rid of our pool (the other being we inherited a lake house). According to our insurance agent even though the yard was fenced and locked and the pool had a separate locked fence around it and we had a pool alarm, if one of the kids sneaking in got hurt, we were liable.

This is why you get an umbrella policy, even if you don't have a pool I thin everyone should have one. They don't cost very much either.

 

[mhsjax]

I might be in the minority here, but I wouldn't think it's the biggest problem in the world. What's wrong with letting the kids swim in the pool on a hot day? Yes, I understand they weren't invited but I wouldn't lose my [stuff] over it either. I'd just ask them to leave (as in no confrontation, profanity, or mean-ness) or invite them to stay for a little bit.

I remember as a kid, anyone who treated us (kids) like actual people, even if we did something wrong, got treated with a LOT more respect. Anyone who would have called the cops or had been a total jerk would have had to pay for that later. I never did it, I didn't need to, there were plenty of other takers on that. I just can imagine my friend Jimmy, in his 7th grade form, egging someone's car just because they were a jerk to him. Or sort of the opposite, skipping a person's (who treated him nicely) house in a TPing stint.

What is wrong is that if they get hurt the parents can sue you for everything that you have. People "back in the day" didn't sue for every little thing that happened. Remember McDonalds and hot coffee?

Besides it is rude just to swim in someone's pool without asking. Would you use anything else of your neighbors without asking? I love having people in my pool, it is one of the reasons I got one, but you better ask first. And I have never had anyone just jump in my pool without permission.

 

[PatriciaH]

What is wrong is that if they get hurt the parents can sue you for everything that you have. People "back in the day" didn't sue for every little thing that happened. Remember McDonalds and hot coffee?

Besides it is rude just to swim in someone's pool without asking. Would you use anything else of your neighbors without asking? I love having people in my pool, it is one of the reasons I got one, but you better ask first. And I have never had anyone just jump in my pool without permission.

Just FYI because I heard this the other day.

http://www.caoc.com/CA/index.cfm?event=showPage&pg=facts

"There is a lot of hype about the McDonalds scalding coffee case. No one is in favor of frivolous cases of outlandish results; however, it is important to understand some points that were not reported in most of the stories about the case. McDonalds coffee was not only hot, it was scalding - capable of almost instantaneous destruction of skin, flesh and muscle. Here is the whole story.

Stella Liebeck of Albuquerque, New Mexico, was in the passenger seat of her grandson's car when she was severely burned by McDonalds coffee in February 1992. Liebeck, 79 at the time, ordered coffee that was served in a Styrofoam cup at the drive-through window of a local McDonalds.

After receiving the order, the grandson pulled his car forward and stopped momentarily so that Liebeck could add cream and sugar to her coffee. (Critics of civil justice, who have pounced on this case, often charge that Liebeck was driving the car or that the vehicle was in motion when she spilled the coffee; neither is true.) Liebeck placed the cup between her knees and attempted to remove the plastic lid from the cup. As she removed the lid, the entire contents of the cup spilled into her lap.

The sweatpants Liebeck was wearing absorbed the coffee and held it next to her skin. A vascular surgeon determined that Liebeck suffered full thickness burns (or third-degree burns) over 6 percent of her body, including her inner thighs, perineum, buttocks, and genital and groin areas. She was hospitalized for eight days, during which time she underwent skin grafting. Liebeck, who also underwent debridement treatments, sought to settle her claim for $20,000, but McDonalds refused.

During discovery, McDonalds produced documents showing more than 700 claims by people burned by its coffee between 1982 and 1992. Some claims involved third-degree burns substantially similar to Liebecks. This history documented McDonalds' knowledge about the extent and nature of this hazard."

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

Just FYI because I heard this the other day.

http://www.caoc.com/CA/index.cfm?event=showPage&pg=facts

"There is a lot of hype about the McDonalds scalding coffee case. No one is in favor of frivolous cases of outlandish results; however, it is important to understand some points that were not reported in most of the stories about the case. McDonalds coffee was not only hot, it was scalding - capable of almost instantaneous destruction of skin, flesh and muscle. Here is the whole story.

Stella Liebeck of Albuquerque, New Mexico, was in the passenger seat of her grandson's car when she was severely burned by McDonalds coffee in February 1992. Liebeck, 79 at the time, ordered coffee that was served in a Styrofoam cup at the drive-through window of a local McDonalds.

After receiving the order, the grandson pulled his car forward and stopped momentarily so that Liebeck could add cream and sugar to her coffee. (Critics of civil justice, who have pounced on this case, often charge that Liebeck was driving the car or that the vehicle was in motion when she spilled the coffee; neither is true.) Liebeck placed the cup between her knees and attempted to remove the plastic lid from the cup. As she removed the lid, the entire contents of the cup spilled into her lap.

The sweatpants Liebeck was wearing absorbed the coffee and held it next to her skin. A vascular surgeon determined that Liebeck suffered full thickness burns (or third-degree burns) over 6 percent of her body, including her inner thighs, perineum, buttocks, and genital and groin areas. She was hospitalized for eight days, during which time she underwent skin grafting. Liebeck, who also underwent debridement treatments, sought to settle her claim for $20,000, but McDonalds refused.

During discovery, McDonalds produced documents showing more than 700 claims by people burned by its coffee between 1982 and 1992. Some claims involved third-degree burns substantially similar to Liebecks. This history documented McDonalds' knowledge about the extent and nature of this hazard."

That's kind of why the cup says something like "contents of this container may be hot". Maybeeeee... someone shouldn't put that between their legs.

It's like holding a knife, gripping the blade. The person themselves, are putting themselves in danger, not the people who make the knife.

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

What is wrong is that if they get hurt the parents can sue you for everything that you have. People "back in the day" didn't sue for every little thing that happened. Remember McDonalds and hot coffee?

Besides it is rude just to swim in someone's pool without asking. Would you use anything else of your neighbors without asking? I love having people in my pool, it is one of the reasons I got one, but you better ask first. And I have never had anyone just jump in my pool without permission.

I totally understand.

I wrote what I wrote more for getting the point across about not freaking out and calling the cops, or anything else severe.

 

[PatriciaH]

That's kind of why the cup says something like "contents of this container may be hot". Maybeeeee... someone shouldn't put that between their legs.

It's like holding a knife, gripping the blade. The person themselves, are putting themselves in danger, not the people who make the knife.

I guess Mc D's kept their coffee at 185+ degrees when normal coffee is about 140. They admitted it would burn a mouth and throught. Nice. So while you might expect coffee to be hot you would not expect it to give you 3rd degree burns enough to have to have skin grafts if it spilled on you.

 

[mhsjax]

I totally understand.

I wrote what I wrote more for getting the point across about not freaking out and calling the cops, or anything else severe.

Gotcha

FWIW, I wouldn't call the cops either, unless it happened numerous occasions.

 

[mhsjax]

Just FYI because I heard this the other day.

http://www.caoc.com/CA/index.cfm?event=showPage&pg=facts

"There is a lot of hype about the McDonalds scalding coffee case. No one is in favor of frivolous cases of outlandish results; however, it is important to understand some points that were not reported in most of the stories about the case. McDonalds coffee was not only hot, it was scalding - capable of almost instantaneous destruction of skin, flesh and muscle. Here is the whole story.

Stella Liebeck of Albuquerque, New Mexico, was in the passenger seat of her grandson's car when she was severely burned by McDonalds coffee in February 1992. Liebeck, 79 at the time, ordered coffee that was served in a Styrofoam cup at the drive-through window of a local McDonalds.

After receiving the order, the grandson pulled his car forward and stopped momentarily so that Liebeck could add cream and sugar to her coffee. (Critics of civil justice, who have pounced on this case, often charge that Liebeck was driving the car or that the vehicle was in motion when she spilled the coffee; neither is true.) Liebeck placed the cup between her knees and attempted to remove the plastic lid from the cup. As she removed the lid, the entire contents of the cup spilled into her lap.

The sweatpants Liebeck was wearing absorbed the coffee and held it next to her skin. A vascular surgeon determined that Liebeck suffered full thickness burns (or third-degree burns) over 6 percent of her body, including her inner thighs, perineum, buttocks, and genital and groin areas. She was hospitalized for eight days, during which time she underwent skin grafting. Liebeck, who also underwent debridement treatments, sought to settle her claim for $20,000, but McDonalds refused.

During discovery, McDonalds produced documents showing more than 700 claims by people burned by its coffee between 1982 and 1992. Some claims involved third-degree burns substantially similar to Liebecks. This history documented McDonalds' knowledge about the extent and nature of this hazard."

Ok, that sound pretty horrible, but you do have to admit people these days will take you to court over anything.

 

[LoriABil]

Two words. Blue dye.

That would keep any kids from jumping in without asking in the future.

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

I guess Mc D's kept their coffee at 185+ degrees when normal coffee is about 140. They admitted it would burn a mouth and throught. Nice. So while you might expect coffee to be hot you would not expect it to give you 3rd degree burns enough to have to have skin grafts if it spilled on you.

idk... Even if it was at 30 degrees or 300 degrees, I'm:
a. not going to put it between my legs.
b. going to test it before it goes into my mouth.

I don't just hop in the shower without making sure it's at a reasonable temperature.

 

[Nancyg56]

I might be in the minority here, but I wouldn't think it's the biggest problem in the world. What's wrong with letting the kids swim in the pool on a hot day? Yes, I understand they weren't invited but I wouldn't lose my [stuff] over it either. I'd just ask them to leave (as in no confrontation, profanity, or mean-ness) or invite them to stay for a little bit.

.

There is a big difference between having the neighborhood kids enjoy a pool and havingt hem sneak in late at night without an invitation or permission. As another poster pointed out in teh event one of those kids wsa hurt the homeowner would be liable. The thought that a kids was hurt on my property would upset me a lot. The thought that I would be held accountable for a kid who was hurt on my property becasue that kids was sneaking in would upset me even more.

 

[mjkacmom]

Is pool hopping right? No. But I'm not surprised - I had a pool growing up, and kids pool hopped many times each summer, and I'm sure I was guilty of it, as well. If you have a pool, kids will hop on in. I'm not defending it, but it's been going on forever.

 

[Darcy03231]

This is why you get an umbrella policy, even if you don't have a pool I thin everyone should have one. They don't cost very much either.

We do have an umbrella and did at the time. I just didn't like the idea of being liable even though I'd done everything possible to keep them out.

 

[mrodgers]

Besides it is rude just to swim in someone's pool without asking.....

Sure it is rude. But this is kids that is being discussed. I guess like many many many people out there, you've obviously forgotten that you were once a kid as well.

Would you use anything else of your neighbors without asking? I love having people in my pool, it is one of the reasons I got one, but you better ask first. And I have never had anyone just jump in my pool without permission that I know of.

Fixed that last statement for you. You can't possibly know what is going on in the middle of the night unless you are posting out and watching at all times.

 

[Octoberbride03]

idk... Even if it was at 30 degrees or 300 degrees, I'm:
a. not going to put it between my legs.
b. going to test it before it goes into my mouth.

I don't just hop in the shower without making sure it's at a reasonable temperature.

I don't know about yours, but I remember my family's car back in 92. There were NO cup holders in it like there are today. We had a big ole Celebrity station wagon, and if you had to put something in your drink at the time it went between your knees. Most of my friends' cars didn't have them either, seemed like they were just starting to be introduced. Today we have cup holders and I'm glad for them. Back then, not so much.

 

[okeydokey]

idk... Even if it was at 30 degrees or 300 degrees, I'm:
a. not going to put it between my legs.
b. going to test it before it goes into my mouth.

I don't just hop in the shower without making sure it's at a reasonable temperature.

Test it how? If you put your finger in it it would burn the skin off your finger.

 

[PatsGirl]

Pool hopping was one of our favorite summer pastimes growing up I'm not defending the kids, just saying it doesn't make them "delinquents" for trying to have some fun. Yes, it's trespassing and yes, it's wrong but they are teenagers and it's their job to break the rules and your job to catch them and then scare the bejezzus out of em

One difference is that we live in a beach community and only pool-hopped at the hotel pools along the beach. We'd actually start at one end and hit as many pools as we could down the stretch.

I can attest to the dangerousness of this though. I broke my two front teeth by diving in at pitch black to a pool with shallow water. Yup, lucky I didn't kill myself. My parents didn't sue because it was entirely my fault and people weren't so sue happy in the 70s. I hate to think that a family can sue if their kid trespasses into your pool.

We did lots of crazy things growing up, this being one of the most fun. Another was climbing the town water tower or jumping off the railroad bridge into the river.

FWIW, I'd kill my kids if I caught them doing the things we did but again, it's their job to break the rules and my job to catch them

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

idk... Even if it was at 30 degrees or 300 degrees, I'm:
a. not going to put it between my legs.
b. going to test it before it goes into my mouth.

I don't just hop in the shower without making sure it's at a reasonable temperature.

But if she had trouble getting the lid off when it was between her legs, it's reasonable to assume that she might have had trouble if she was holding it in her hand, or had it sitting on a table in the restaurant. It is reasonable to assume that people will take the lid off coffee to put in cream. It's also reasonable to assume that people's body parts will be in the vicinity when they do so -- as most of us use a body part (e.g. hand) to stabilize the coffee cup when they do so. Even if the cup is in the cup holder, or on the table, I've still got my left hand wrapped around it while my right pries off the lid, and in this case would likely have spilled coffee on that hand. The coffee was hot enough to burn whatever was there. No, it wouldn't have been as gruesome, but it's still not acceptable.

As for testing it. If you don't take the lid off (since we've established that there's no safe way to get the lid off a cup that hot) how do you test it without using your mouth?

As far as this incident, the OP needs to lock her pool. If these kids get hurt, they probably deserve it. If a 4 year old gets lost somehow and wanders in your yard -- you'll never forgive yourself, even if they don't sue.

I'd also tell the neighbors in no certain terms that they can't climb the fence to get balls. At this point, by not objecting you've essentially invited their kids into your pool area, when you aren't there. Which is a huge liability.