The Journal

Insights, guides, and stories on professional water safety and enjoying the best days of summer.

From the Guardly team

A luxury private backyard pool enclosed by a four-sided glass safety fence at golden hour

Jul 18, 2026

Swimming Pool Safety Laws and Liability for Homeowners

Owning a pool means owning a legal duty of care. Here's what the law actually expects of you, where liability comes from, and how to protect your family and your finances.

How to Plan a Safe Pool Party for Kids

A great kids' pool party is planned around the water, not the cake. Here's the exact playbook — ratios, layers, rules, and the gaps a professional is trained to catch.

Beach House and Vacation Rental Water Safety Guide

A rented beach house is where families swim more, supervise less, and do it in water they don't know. Here's how to keep a waterfront vacation both relaxed and safe.

What Do Lifeguard Certifications Actually Mean?

'I'm a certified lifeguard' can mean very different things. Here's how to decode the credentials — and know exactly who you're trusting with your family's water.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Lifeguard in 2026?

Private lifeguard rates range widely — here's what actually drives the price, what you should expect to pay, and where hidden costs hide.

The Complete Pool Party Safety Checklist (From Professional Lifeguards)

We asked working lifeguards what they check before every private event. This is the exact list — from fence latches to sober-watcher rotations.

How to Become a Certified Lifeguard: Requirements, Cost, and Timeline

From the prerequisite swim test to your first paid shift — the full path to certification, what it costs, and how long each step really takes.

Do You Need a Lifeguard for a Private Event? What the Rules Actually Say

The law rarely forces you to hire a lifeguard for a backyard event. Your liability exposure, insurance policy, and venue contract are another story.

Drowning Prevention: The Statistics Every Pool Owner Should Know

Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1–4. The data on when and how it happens should change how every pool owner thinks about supervision.

Lifeguarding as Flexible Side Income: What Professionals Actually Earn

A current certification is one of the best-kept secrets in flexible work. Here's how on-demand professionals turn weekend availability into real income.

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