How to Keep Your Pool Safe Year-Round
According to the CDC, drowning is the number one cause of unintentional death for American children between the ages of 1 and 4. An average of 10 people drown each day, and about one in five people who die from drowning are children ages 14 and under. While children are at higher risk, anyone can drown, so keeping a safe and secure pool area is crucial to avoid a tragedy. But, what can you do to protect your family? Look at our top tips below.
Install a Safety Fence
If you do not already have one, adding a pool fence is essential to protect your family from accidents in the pool. According to the CDC, a four-sided isolation fence (separating the pool area from the house and yard) reduces a child’s risk of drowning 83% compared to having just your property-line fencing. A fence of at least four feet in height should surround the pool or spa on all sides is recommended by the CDC. Remove climbable objects near the pool fence: Items such as chairs, tables, pot plants, trees and more can act as a ladder for young kids. The water should only be accessible through a self-closing, self-latching gate.
Invest in a Safety Cover
The safety cover works as a barrier to prevent access to the water for children and pets, reducing the risk of accidents. Safety pool covers are woven mesh or solid vinyl which secures to your pool deck with straps to anchors. These types of covers provide a barrier by being pulled tight and secured to the ground, protecting children or pets who could fall in. Poolwerx not only sells safety covers, our expert technicians also install them!
Install a Camera System
A pool camera system gives you the most advanced second set of eyes when it comes to the safety of your children and pets within your pool area. A camera system allows you to monitor activity in your pool 24/7 for any movement of unattended children or pets and notifies you instantly if they are in danger.
Install an Alarm System
Want to add an extra layer of protection to keep your children and pets out of the water when you are not around? Install an alarm system to alert you when there is activity in or around your pool area. There are four main types of pool alarm systems: surface wave detection alarms, sub-surface detection alarms, wearable water detectors, and threshold alarms. Want to learn more? Contact your local Poolwerx for expert advice!
Inspect Drain Covers
Powerful suction from a pool drain can even trap an adult underwater! Since 2007, all public pools in the United States are required to have drain grates or covers that meet pool safety standards. Similarly, it is also important to inspect the drain cover of your residential pool to make sure it is operating properly and there are no cracks or missing screws.
Teach Kids How to Swim
Swimming is not just fun, it’s a lifesaving skill! Teaching your child how to swim is essential if you have a pool to not only help keep them safe from potential drowning, but so they can enjoy their pool to the fullest.
When a Poolwerx technician completes a service on your pool, they also conduct a safety assessment of your pool area to check whether there are any safety hazards, so take the time now to ensure your pool is as safe as possible for your family.
