How to Stay Safe on the Dock at Your Waterfront Home
So your dream of buying a waterfront home at the Lake of the Ozarks has finally come true, and Your Favorite Real Estate Team is SO excited for you. We know you have looked forward to this and are ready to get out and enjoy the lake with your family and friends. That is why it is all the more important that you are aware of the what’s and whys of basic dock safety to keep your loved ones safe.
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| photo credit: Fun Lake MO |
Dock Inspection.
It is recommended that you have your dock inspected every year
to make sure it is safe. An inspection
will point out any structural issues, damage, needed repairs or safety issues not
just to keep people from getting hurt but also to hopefully avert more
expensive repairs later on.
Electrical Inspection.
We know that electricity and water don’t mix. There are specific precautions that are taken when wiring a boat dock and weather conditions throughout the year can cause issues and damage. Your dock should be inspected annually to ensure that everything is just right. A qualified electrician should check that all wiring is in conduit, that the shut off on the shoreline is working, all outlets are GCFI outlets, that the dock has been updated as codes have change, etc. Not all electricians keep up with Ameren’s changing regulations or are experienced working on docks. To find a qualified electrician for your dock you can go to The LOZ Association of Electrical Contractors website at www.lozaec.org.
Electrical Current Detector.
Even if your dock is safe, there could be electrical
current in the water from someone else’s dock and you would not know it. There are products you can install which
detect electrical current in the water and sound an alarm if there is
danger. If you ever experience
electrical current while swimming DO NOT swim back to or touch any dock. SWIM OUT AWAY FROM THE DOCKS and have a boat
come out and pick you up. Be sure to
teach everyone else on your dock what to do if they feel a shock as well.
Supervision.
Children love to play when on a dock or in the water and safety
is definitely not the first thing on their minds. It is very important to keep an eye on kids
(and sometimes the adults too) to look out for potential dangers and be close
to lend a hand if something goes wrong.
It is also good to have plenty of floatation devices readily available and
teach your guests to wear a life jacket on the dock, not just in the
water. Even the strongest swimmer can be
rendered helpless if they slip or fall into the water and hit their head.
The lake is a place for great memories to be made. As real estate experts at the Lake of the Ozarks, we have seen generations of fun have being had at the Lake of the Ozarks by families who love the lake and respect it as well. Your Favorite Real Estate Team at the Lake of the Ozarks recognizes the lake is a type of playground to us all, but it is also a place where common sense must be used in order to enjoy it to the fullest. With just a little bit of knowledge and a mindset that cares for everyone on the lake, you are ready to make the most of your waterfront home at the Lake of the Ozarks. That is why we wanted to share with you a few safety tips to help you enjoy your dock even more as you share it with friends and family.
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