You have taken the plunge, and now, you have a pool in your backyard to use. It brightens the space, adds value to your home, and of course, it will aid in maintaining your health, but is it safe?
Pool safety is a big part of having a pool, especially when you have young children who just want to swim in it all day. For those new to having an on-site swimming area, here are some things to check to make sure that it is safe to use and to have.
Fencing and Alarms
When you have a pool without a fence, no barrier can stop toddlers or young children in your home from wandering into it. Make sure that any pool fencing you have fitted is done so by a professional, as this will give you peace of mind that it has been installed properly. You can even add a modern flair to your pool, opting to have glass fencing setup or wooden fencing to keep the barrier clear. It is also worth having your pool alarmed and getting locks for any entry points to the pool.
Pool pH Kits
With pools, there is more than one safety hazard that needs to be looked into.
You will need to get some water pH kits to test the water in your pool twice a week. This will prevent you and your family from developing dry skin, eye irritation, and, most importantly, it will help to keep all of the pool equipment functioning as it needs to, which will help to reduce algae growth and keep filtration systems ticking over.
Rules
As soon as your pool is set up, you need to sit down with your family and discuss pool rules. Of course, if there are any members of your family who can’t swim, be sure to get them swimming lessons as soon as possible, for obvious reasons. Write down the pool rules and display them near the pool and in the home, so they are always visible. This should (hopefully) keep everyone safe and give clarity on behaviors that are expected.
Supervision
As well as the pool rules, you need to ensure that when your kids (or your dog) are in the pool, there is one adult present to keep watch. As awkward as it is at communal pools when there is a lifeguard, it is a core part of pool safety. It will allow you to jump in if anything goes wrong and will also give you peace of mind. There are, of course, pool cameras that can be set up around your pool, which can also aid in supervision. This may be more suited to homes where there are teenagers who may not need direct supervision, but could still use some aspect of safety.
It may not seem to be a cool part of owning a pool, but with added safety, you can rest assured that your family is safe and, if you live alone, that the added safety measures are helping to keep your home’s value up.