When temperatures start to soar, many people will be taking advantage of the heat-beating delights of a swimming pool. Whether you have a luxury in-ground pool, or plan to blow up the simplest of inflatable above-ground pools, it is important to consider the insurance and safety implications, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

Swimming pools have been steadily rising in popularity, with more than 8.3 million households owning an in-ground or above-ground pool -- up almost 10 percent since 2002, according to an annual report by the Association of Pool and Spa professions.

According to a May 2009 report posted at the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's website, 886 children aged 5 and younger died after drowning in either a pool or spa between 2004-06. The report also shows that the majority of these deaths and injuries occurred in residential settings (79 percent) and that the parents or caretakers lost contact or knowledge of the whereabouts of the children involved (46 percent) before the child managed to access the pool or spa. Fatal drowning remains the second-leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children ages 1-14; for every child who dies from drowning, five receive emergency department care for nonfatal submersion injuries.

The I.I.I. suggests taking the following steps when considering a pool:

* Contact your town or municipality. Each town will have its own definition of a "pool," often based on its size and water depth. If the pool you are planning to buy meets the definition, then you must comply with local safety standards and building costs. This may include installing a fence of a certain size, locks, deck and pool safety equipment, and

* Call your insurance agent or company representative. Let your insurance company know that you have a pool, since it will increase your liability risk. Pools are considered an "attractive nuisance," and it may be advisable to purchase additional liability insurance. Most homeowners policies include a minimum of $100,000 worth of liability protection. Pool owners, however, may want to consider increasing the amount to $300,000 or $500,000.

You may also want to talk to your agent or company representative about purchasing an umbrella liability policy. For an additional premium of about $200 or $300 a year, you can get $1 million of liability protection over and above what you have on your home. This would also provide added liability protection when you drive.

If the pool itself is expensive, you should also have enough insurance protection to replace it in the event it is destroyed by a storm or other disaster.

The I.I.I. also recommends taking the following safety precautions:

* Put fencing around the pool area to keep people from using the pool without your knowledge. In addition to the fences or other barriers required by many towns, consider creating "layers of protection" around the pool, i.e., setting up as many barriers as possible (door alarms, locks and safety covers) to the pool area when not in use,

* Never leave small children unsupervised -- even for a few seconds. And never leave toys or floats in the pool when not in use, as they may prove to be a deadly temptation for toddlers trying to reach them,

* Keep children away from pool filters and other mechanical devices as the suction force may injure them or prevent them from surfacing. In case of an emergency, know how to shut off these devices and clearly post this information,

* Be sure all pool users know how to swim. Learners should be accompanied with a good swimmer. If you have children, have them take swimming lessons as early as possible. And don't allow anyone to swim alone,

* Check the pool area regularly for glass bottles, toys or other potential accident hazards. Also, keep CD players, radios and other electrical devices away from pools or nearby wet surfaces, and

* Clearly post emergency numbers on the phone in the event of an accident. Keep a first aid kit, ring bouys and reaching poles near the pool. YOu may also want to consider taking basic first aid and CPR training.