Private Pool Safety Guidelines in UAE

Private Pools and Water Safety Rules in the UAE

Owning a private pool is undeniably a symbol of comfort and luxury, especially during the hot summer months when people prefer to cool off in the comfort of their homes. However, the increase in the number of private pools built in residential areas is unfortunately accompanied by a worrisome trend: a rise in drowning accidents, particularly among children.

The severity of the situation

According to the World Health Organisation, drowning remains one of the leading causes of accidental deaths worldwide. This trend is also observed in the UAE, where several tragic incidents have occurred in recent months - not only in pools but also in buckets, where small children have lost their lives due to a lack of supervision.

Such accidents often happen within seconds - and almost invariably could be prevented. Investigations by the Health and Safety Department of Dubai indicate that the common characteristic in most cases is that children were near water without adult supervision.

Mandatory regulations for all pool owners

Dubai Municipality has introduced comprehensive guidelines to reduce the risk of tragedies and to make the use of private pools safer. These apply to all residential properties where there is a water surface deeper than 30 centimeters - including inflatable pools, jacuzzis, and prefabricated swimming pools.

1. Registration and licensing of pools

All private pools must be registered with the Dubai Municipality system before construction begins. If any modifications are made later - such as the installation of slides or diving boards - these must also be pre-approved.

2. Physical safety barriers

The pool must be separated from the rest of the house by a wall or fence at least 1.2 meters high. The fence should not be climbable, should not contain any gaps or openings that children can crawl through. In addition, it is recommended to use a safety net or cover, which must comply with international ASTM F1346-91 standards and support the weight of at least two adults and one child.

3. Restricting safe access

Entrances to the pool area must have outward-opening, self-closing, and self-latching gates, and locks should be placed at a height of at least 1.5 meters - out of children's reach. Automatic garage doors or yard gates are not allowed to be used for pool access.

Windows overlooking the pool should be fitted with safety grilles or restrictors that prevent opening larger than 100 mm. Balconies next to the pool should also be equipped with child-proof railings.

4. Hygiene, maintenance, and emergency preparedness

The monitoring of water quality is also an important aspect. Pool owners need to measure the pH, chlorine, and temperature values daily, with more detailed checks every two weeks and microbiological tests every two months.

Emergency preparations are also essential: every pool should have a CPR poster displayed, as well as the phone numbers of the police, ambulance, and civil defense clearly visible. A first aid kit and basic rescue equipment (e.g., pool brush pole) should always be on hand.

The most important defense: attentive parental supervision

No matter how detailed the rules are, according to Dubai Municipality, the most effective protection is still the continuous presence and vigilance of adults. Teaching children to swim, acquiring basic lifesaving knowledge, and maintaining an active, attentive presence are more valuable than any other measure.

Further information

Anyone building or already owning a pool and wanting to comply with safety regulations can contact the Dubai Municipality's health and safety department at 800900, or emailSafety@dm.gov.ae for help or registration information.

(Source of the article: Dubai Municipality statement.)