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Important Pool Safety
Guidelines
There are steps a pool owner can
take to reduce the risks associated with swimming pools.
A great day spent at pool side is the ideal
summer experience for people of all ages around the world. More and
more people are choosing to have pools installed in their yards to
provide their families a safe and fun way to cool down and relax
during the warm summer months.
While most of the time pools are a source of enjoyment, it is
important to note that they are responsible to several deaths of
both children and adults each year. In spite of this fact, people
continue to install pools in their yards as a way to escape from the
warm climate and heat of summer.
There are steps a pool owner can take to reduce the risks associated
with swimming pools. Below we will discuss important steps you can
take to prevent accidents around your pool and protect your family
and pets.
Above Ground Pools
Above ground pools continue to gain in popularity and are now more
common than in ground pools in many areas. You can find this type of
pool in yards across the globe, and they come in a wide selection of
size, shapes, and colors. These pools are usually more noticeable
than in ground pools and they have their own unique safety hazards.
The first thing that you should do with an above ground pool is
ensure that the ladder used for entering and exiting the pool is
safely and security attached. The most common injury associated with
above ground pools is falling from a ladder which is improperly
attached. You can reduce these injuries by regularly checking your
ladder to be sure it does not need repair.
No one should ever sit on the railing of your above ground pool. Be
sure that your children know this rule will be strictly enforced,
and that any guests using the pool are made aware of the rule.
Sitting on the pool railing can lead to injuries two separate ways.
The first way is if the person falls off the railing and hurts
themselves as they hit the ground. The second is if the weight of
the person causes the entire pool to collapse, opening up the
possibility of several types of injuries.
In Ground Pools
Almost all pool owners desire to have an in ground pool. They are
usually much more attractive than above ground pools, as well as
giving you more design options and easier maintenance tasks. In
ground pools, however, have their own set of safety hazards.
Children should never be left unattended near an in ground pool. It
is very easy for small children to accidentally fall into in ground
pools and drown. In ground pools should be surrounded by a tall
fence and
covered with a secured pool cover to prevent accidental drowning of
both children and pets. While this problem exists with above ground
pools, it is heightened with in ground pools as you do not need to
climb a ladder to enter the pool.
The rule of your yard should be no running around the pool. Each
year there are several severe injuries caused by someone slipping
and falling on the wet pavement as they run around a pool. No matter
what type of pool you own you can prevent injuries by taking a few
simple precautions.
Filters, Pumps and Other Mechanical Parts
Proper maintenance of your filters, pumps, and other mechanical
parts is essential to pool safety. These parts have the potential to
cause injury and death as they are electronic parts operating in a
wet
environment. You can, for example, receive an electric shock from a
pump with a damaged cable.
Keep all of these parts out of the reach of children and be sure to
carefully read to safely information that is printed in your owner’s
manual for each part. To prevent injuries it is best to store these
parts in a secured location when you close down the pool for the
cold winter months. Always exercise caution when working with any of
these parts.
Chlorine and Other Pool Chemicals
Many of the chemicals used to treat your pool water and keep it safe
can be toxic if consumed in large amount by children or pets. Your
supply of chlorine and other chemicals should be treated just as you
would any other toxic chemical, which means keeping it far away from
children.
While chlorine is absolutely safe to use in your pool in a diluted
concentration, in its full concentration it can be very dangerous.
Your child should never be exposed to toxic amount of chlorine, as
an overdose could be deadly.
Seasonal Pool Care and Maintenance
Pool maintenance will usually require an investment of time almost
every day during the summer months. This investment is very
important in keeping your pool safe and healthy to use. Leaving your
pool untreated makes it the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes
and other insects which can carry dangerous illnesses to your
family.
Using a pool cover is one way to keep insects and debris from
building up in your pool. If your pool is uncovered you should be
sure to remove any debris and treat it with the required chemicals
on a weekly basis. Your family can also become sick from the
bacteria and algae that will build up in an untreated pool.
Swimming in an untreated pool can pose serious health risks. Do not
allow your family to swim in a pool that has not had proper
maintenance. Regular maintenance is the only way to ensure that you
can enjoy all the benefits that a pool offers.
Enjoying your Pool
While we have detailed a lot of things that need to happen to make a
pool safe and healthy, the benefits of using a secure and well
maintained pool far outweigh the work needed to achieve it. You will
get tons of pleasure on those lazy summer days spent relaxing by the
pool.
You will get the maximum enjoyment from your pool knowing that you
have taken all the necessary steps to make it safe. Without
constantly worrying about serious injury you can just relax and
enjoy your pool.
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