Tag Archives: Pool Safety

Innovative Solutions, Pool and Spa Safety

Protect Your Pets and Other Critters From Accidental Drowning

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Protecting your children in your family pool is a given! Every parent knows the importance of protecting your loved ones, but have you considered protecting small creatures that may wander into your pool? Small animals such as cats, dogs, frogs, squirrels, and rodents can often find their way into your pool water. In the U.S. alone, over 50,000 family pets drown needlessly in swimming pools and walled lakes each year . This number does not even include non-pet drownings. There are tools available to help prevent this sad occurrence. In addition to the humane act of sparing the small animals’ lives, you minimize bacteria from animal waste because they will be safe and sound on your pool deck instead of being trapped in your pool skimmer. The Pool Critter Escape Ramp is a floating ramp with a weighted pillow that sits on your pool deck. When small animals fall into your water, they will instinctively swim to the sides of the pool looking for a way out. When they encounter the escape ramp, they can crawl out on their own. The Skamper-Ramp works in a similar way. It is constructed of blowmolded polyethylene that is both light and sturdy. It is also chemical and weather resistant to offer protection over many seasons! Both choices are affordable and almost effortless to install!

Pool and Spa Chemicals, Pool and Spa Maintenance, Pool and Spa Safety

Keep the P and Poo Out of Your Pool: Tips for Healthy Pools

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Pool Signs

Pool signs, like the one above, are a funny way to remind those who swim in our pools that the pool water is not a bathroom.  Contamination of water, though, can be a serious problem.  If a pool’s pH level is out of balance, the chlorine is unable to effectively kill harmful germs that are introduced into the water by swimmers.  Everything from dirt to sun to leaves and other debris can alter the pH level of pool water, so checking the pH level on a regular basis and adjusting the chemical balance as necessary is a crucial step in maintaining a healthy pool.

In addition to ensuring that there are always correct levels of chemicals in your pool’s water, you should insist that all swimmers follow these three rules to avoid contaminating the pool water:

  • Never swim when you are sick.  Germs can be spread to others in the pool.
  • Avoid swallowing pool water or getting water in your mouth.
  • Keep yourself clean.  Take a shower and soap up before taking a swim, and don’t forget to wash your hands after going to the bathroom or changing a diaper.  Even the smallest amount of contamination on your body can be transferred to pool water and cause illness in others.

(Source: Centers for Disease Control)

Being a diligent pool owner will help prevent the spread of germs and illnesses and keep your swimming pool a healthy place for everyone to enjoy.

Use the following easy-to-read charts when determining proper chemical balance and adjusting pH levels:

Pool and Spa Safety

Add This to Your Pool Safety Checklist

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Did you know that children are 8 times more likely to drown or experience submersion accidents in swimming pools if they do not know how to swim (Consumer Product Safety Commission)?  One more step in helping to prevent swimming pool accidents is to ensure that the children (and adults) who will be using the swimming pool know how to swim.

Whether you and your children need to learn to swim from scratch or just need to strengthen your skills, now is the time to get started.  Indoor pools are common at many local YMCAs, YWCAs, or community centers, and year round lessons are usually available to adults and children of all skill levels.  Contact them today for schedule information.

Swim lessons are important for safety, but they are also great fun and provide access to one of the best forms of exercise.  Parents and caregivers should keep in mind, though, that even if children are taking lessons and may be considered strong swimmers, they can still experience swimming pool accidents.  Responsible adult supervision should always be available when kids are in the pool.

Pool and Spa Safety

Take Pool Safety Beyond the Basics

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Pool Safety Alarm

Owning a swimming pool, whether it is an above ground pool or an in ground pool, means taking responsibility for the safety of children and pets who live on or near your property.  There’s more to pool safety, though, than equipping your swimming pool with safety features like anti-entrapment drain covers, safety covers, pool alarms, and pool fences.  Even with every available safety device installed, there is still no guarantee that a child will never experience a pool-related injury or accident in your backyard pool, or in a pool owned by a neighbor or family member.

Everything from bumps and scrapes to submersion and drowning accidents are possible in a swimming pool, so it’s a good idea to be prepared for the unexpected by getting trained in CPR and first aid.  Your local chapter of the American Red Cross probably offers courses regularly, and the best time to schedule one is now, before the swimming season begins.

Equipping your swimming pool with safety barriers and devices is a vital step in helping to prevent the worst kind of swimming pool accidents.  Equipping yourself, though, with the skills and knowledge to handle any degree of pool-related injury or accident takes you to an even higher level of responsible pool ownership.

Pool and Spa Safety

Getting Kids Involved in Pool Safety Can Be Fun

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Practice Pool Safety

Keeping kids safe around swimming pools means helping them understand what activities and behaviors are acceptable and fun, and which ones are unsafe and to be avoided.  A smart way to prepare for the upcoming swimming season is to take time now to work with kids on pool safety issues.

A fun approach to pool safety can be found with kid-friendly activities on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Pool Safely website.  The CPSC’s Pool Safely campaign aims to increase pool safety awareness by providing information to families, industry professionals, and state and local officials.

With help from parents, even the youngest tots can start to learn how to stay safe around swimming pools at home and at public facilities.  Adults should never assume, though, that older kids know how to recognize pool dangers.  Making sure kids of all ages understand the dangers that exist around swimming pools will empower them to make the right choices.  And, thanks to the CPSC’s Pool Safely campaign, learning about pool safety can be fun.