The new year is the perfect time to take stock of your existing pool safety plan, make adjustments, and ensure your swimming pool has the protection it needs to keep your loved ones safer. From evaluating gaps in your current protection to inspecting safety equipment for damage and making repairs, the work you do now not only gets your pool ready to open in the spring but also sets the tone for safety throughout the swim season. We’ve compiled a list of the top pool safety tips from our safety barrier pros to help you reduce the risks of unsupervised access, accidental injury, or a drowning incident.
Every year, around 4500 people use their lives to accidental drowning, and thousands more will seek medical aid for injuries received in and around the pool area. Proper supervision by a responsible adult can be one of the most important factors in creating a safer pool area. Anytime the pool is in use–especially when it’s being used by children–an adult who can swim should be on hand to watch for swimmers in distress, rescue those who need help either by swimming to or reaching them with a long pole, and ensure the action in and around the pool isn’t getting out of hand.
Pool safety barriers help save lives by reducing the risk of unsupervised access so that young or vulnerable swimmers need a responsible adult to gain entry to the water. We offer three types of ASTM-compliant pool safety barriers.
We’re dedicated to promoting swimming pool safety and helping everyday pool owners lower the accidental drowning risk at their backyard oasis. Here are our top tips for fine-tuning your pool safety plan heading into the new year.
As the weather warms up, take the time to clean and inspect your swimming pool safety barriers for damage. Fence poles and material should be checked for any rips, tears, bends, or breaks. Make sure the gate closes on its own and latches. Verify all alarm systems are functioning correctly and change batteries where needed. Swimming pool safety nets and covers should have their anchors checked for stability, and the straps and clips that attach to the anchor should be in good repair and not deformed. Carefully check the net or cover material for fraying, ripping, or tearing.
Any damage found should be repaired immediately using authentic All-Safe Pool replacement parts or by contacting your local independent installer. Care should be taken to monitor anyone around the pool area until your safety barriers are restored. Missing pole caps, broken latches, and even ripped mesh are all user-friendly repairs you can tackle on your own. Cleaning of removable mesh pool fencing, safety nets, or swimming pool safety covers can be done with a soft-bristled brush and light detergent–like diluted dishwashing soap–often in no more than a few hours.
Use your pool safety plan to evaluate your current protective barriers and equipment and identify gaps in your safety coverage. One of the best pool safety tips we have to offer is that while protection is good, more protection is always better. If you have a removable mesh pool fence, consider installing a safety net or cover behind it. If you have a safety net or cover, add a pool fence to protect the entire pool area and not just the pool itself. Consider upgrading audible-only alarms to smart alarms that can send an alert to a connected device.
Review the swimmer rules set out in your pool safety plan, and if they aren’t in there–add them! Having a written copy of the rules not only lets you set consistent expectations within your household but also makes it easier to communicate them to guests. You should also include any instructions that may be needed for opening or closing the pool, including the proper use of your swimming pool safety barriers, alarms, and associated pool equipment. This ensures that even if you have a house sitter or relative staying at your home while you’re away or on vacation, they have all the information they need to maintain a safer swimming pool environment in your absence.
Seasonal changes can be some of the most dangerous, as opening or closing a pool for the season can require several hours of work, during which your barriers may not be installed. Remember that partially filled pools can be just as dangerous as full ones. From the time you remove your winter swimming pool cover until you have another safety barrier installed and secured, the pool should never be left unattended.
Opening your pool should start with removing its winter cover, thoroughly cleaning it, refilling it, and properly balancing its water chemistry. After the winter chills have passed, it’s also the perfect opportunity to inspect your pool for signs of weathering or frost damage. Change light bulbs as needed, make sure your filter and pump are working correctly, and check your heater for proper function. Your Winter cover should be cleaned, allowed to dry, and then stored in a pest-resistant container to keep it protected until next winter.
Since children are often the most vulnerable swimmers who will enter your pool, centering your pool safety plan on their particular needs is always a good idea. This individualized approach can involve scheduling swimming lessons, making a safety activity part of every swimming session, or sharing your favorite pool safety tips with them. The two most important things you can do for better kids’ pool safety, however, are to be consistent and present.
Kids love pool time. They also love the opportunity to spend time with their parents (even though they tend to forget this fact as teenagers). Make time to be there with them so they can explore the pool with complete confidence that a parent is watching out for them. Along the way, they’ll see you exercising proper pool safety, learning from your good example.
Your local All-Safe Pool pro is ready to help you protect your loved ones. Schedule a free estimate, and they’ll take measurements, identify the best protection options for your swimming pool use, and give you a written estimate that shows how cost-effective peace of mind can be. Take the first step toward a safer swimming pool area and check off an item on your pool safety plan. Request an estimate from your independent All-Safe Pool contractor today.
Learn how installing your pool fence can save you money without compromising your loved ones’ safety. From ordering materials to the basic DIY pool fence installation process, we’re ready to help you build a safer pool area.
These safety pool fence mistakes can increase your risk of unsupervised pool access and accidental drownings. Follow these tips for a stronger DIY pool fence, or reach out to your local independent All-Safe Pool pro for help creating a safer pool area today.
Sensory swim time adapts your normal pool routine to those who may be more sensitive to sound and motion levels, such as those with autism. Swim activities are a great way to engage every child, and we’ll walk you through creating a welcoming environment.
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