Safety Center

A great pool day starts with clear expectations.

Private pools are private homes. This is what we ask of guests, what we ask of hosts, and what to do when something goes wrong.

How PoolSpaces works

We facilitate bookings

PoolSpaces is a marketplace that connects guests with hosts and handles the booking and payment. We do not own, operate, staff or supervise any pool.

Hosts remain responsible

Each host is responsible for their pool, premises, equipment, compliance and the condition of the space during a booking.

Guests follow host rules

Booking means agreeing to the host's rules and supervising your own group. Swimming carries risk and you take part at your own risk.

PoolSpaces does not guarantee the safety of any pool, property or booking. Verification and listing checks reduce risk — they do not remove it.

Hosts are verified before listing

Identity documents are reviewed and listings are checked by our Lusaka team before a pool can be booked.

Both sides are accountable

Guests and hosts rate each other after completed bookings, and reviews only come from real, finished sessions.

Safety details are on every listing

Depth, fencing, rescue equipment, first-aid and lifeguard availability are declared by the host on the pool page.

Payments stay in-platform

Pay through PoolSpaces. Never send money outside the platform, and never share card or mobile-money PINs.

Private by default

Exact addresses are only shared after a booking is confirmed. Keep conversations in PoolSpaces messaging.

Support you can reach

A Lusaka-based team you can contact before, during and after a booking.

For guests

Guest safety.

You are responsible for your own group from the moment you arrive until you leave.

  • Read the host's rules and the pool's safety details before you book — booking means you agree to follow them.
  • Bring at least one confident adult swimmer, and never swim alone.
  • Check the depth markings and shallow end on arrival with everyone in your group.
  • Keep to the guest count you booked. Extra people change how safe a pool is.
  • Keep glass, sharp items and electrical devices away from the water's edge.
  • Tell the host immediately if something is broken, slippery, unfenced or unclear.

For hosts

Host safety.

Your pool, your premises, your responsibility. These are the standards we expect on every listing.

  • Keep the pool area, surfaces, gates and lighting in a safe, working condition for every booking.
  • Provide a reaching aid or flotation device and a stocked first-aid kit, and show guests where they are.
  • Write clear, specific house rules — supervision, depth, alcohol, music, cut-off times and off-limits areas.
  • Keep chemicals, pumps, covers and equipment locked away from guests and children.
  • Be reachable during the session, whether or not you are on site.
  • Carry your own property and liability cover. PoolSpaces does not insure your premises.

Water first

Pool safety.

Run this check together, out loud, before the first person gets in.

  • Depth clearly marked, with the shallow end identified before anyone enters.
  • Water clear enough to see the bottom of the deep end — if it isn't, do not swim.
  • Non-slip routes around the water, with obstacles and hoses cleared.
  • Rescue equipment within arm's reach of the poolside, not stored indoors.
  • Pool cover fully removed or fully secured — never partly closed.
  • Drains, grates and filters intact and covered.
Adults supervising children swimming in a private Lusaka pool

Children

Swimming with children.

Drowning is silent and fast. Supervision is the only control that works every time.

  • Children must be actively supervised by a named, sober adult at all times — no exceptions, and no phone-scrolling watch.
  • Assign one adult per small group of children as a dedicated water watcher and swap in shifts.
  • Under-14s require an accompanying adult on the booking.
  • Use fitted flotation aids for non-swimmers, not inflatable toys.
  • Confirm gates, fencing and door alarms on arrival if you are booking with toddlers.
  • Count children in and out of the water each time there is a break.

Alcohol

Drinking and water don't mix.

Where a host allows alcohol, these limits still apply.

  • Alcohol is only permitted where the host's rules allow it, and never for under-18s.
  • Anyone supervising children or acting as a water watcher stays completely sober.
  • Do not swim, dive or use hot tubs while intoxicated — alcohol is a leading factor in drownings.
  • No glass anywhere near the water. Use cans or unbreakable cups.
  • Hosts and guests can end a session early if drinking makes the pool unsafe.
  • Arrange a sober driver or ride home before the booking starts.

Parties & events

Celebrating responsibly.

Bigger groups need more planning, not fewer rules.

  • Parties and events are only allowed on listings that say so — check the rules before booking.
  • Never exceed the booked guest count or the pool's stated capacity.
  • Respect music and noise cut-off times, and Lusaka neighbourhood expectations.
  • Give the host a realistic headcount, including children, so supervision can be planned.
  • No unregistered visitors, gate-crashers or re-selling of a booking.
  • Leave the space as you found it — damage is charged against the security deposit.

Emergencies

If something goes wrong in the water.

In a life-threatening situation, call emergency services first. PoolSpaces is not an emergency service and cannot respond to one.

  1. 01

    Get everyone out of the water and account for every person, especially children.

  2. 02

    Call emergency services immediately — do not wait to see if things improve.

  3. 03

    Reach for the rescue aid rather than jumping in, unless you are trained to rescue.

  4. 04

    Start first aid or CPR only if you are trained, and keep the line open with the operator.

  5. 05

    Alert the host so they can open gates, direct responders and shut off equipment.

  6. 06

    Once everyone is safe, report the incident to PoolSpaces so we can act on it.

Incident reporting

Report an incident.

Injuries, unsafe pools, damage, harassment, unsafe behaviour or anything that felt wrong — tell us, even if nobody was hurt.

1. Make it safe

Stop the activity, get people away from the water and call emergency services if anyone is hurt.

2. Record what happened

Note the date, time, booking reference and what you saw. Photos of the hazard help — never photograph people without consent.

3. Send it to us

Report from your booking in PoolSpaces messaging, or email our team. We acknowledge safety reports first.

Report an incident safety@poolspaces.co.zm

What happens next: we log the report, may pause the listing while we review it, contact both sides, and can warn, suspend or remove a host or guest. Reports about a specific booking may be shared with the other party and, where the law requires it, with the authorities. Reporting to PoolSpaces is not a substitute for contacting emergency services, the police or your insurer.

Need a hand?

Talk to our Lusaka team.

Questions about a listing, a booking or hosting? We answer in hours, not days.

hello@poolspaces.co.zmBrowse pools