Summer is almost upon us, which means it’s your pool’s busy season and a good time to brush up on pool safety. To maintain a fun and safe environment around your swimming pool, there are several basic pool safety tips I advise all pool owners to follow. Make pool safety a priority in your backyard by following these guidelines:
1. Have Compliant Drain Covers (VGB)
Virginia Graeme Baker, after whom the Pool and Spa Safety Act is named, died from drowning due to a suction entrapment from a faulty drain cover. All pools and spas should have drain grates or covers that meet safety standards to avoid incidents like the one that took Graeme’s life. Powerful suction from a pool or spa drain can even trap an adult.
2. Safety Gates
Secure your pool with appropriate barriers. Completely surround your pool with a fence or barrier with a self-closing, self-latching and outward facing gate. Place a safety cover on the pool or hot tub when not in use and remove any ladders or steps used for access. If you have small children, consider installing an alarm to alert you anytime anyone goes from the house to the backyard.
3. Consider a Poolguard® Safety Buoy Pool Alarm
This is a pool alarm that meets county and city requirements for safety and is innovative in that it will alert you in your home, any time something substantial falls into your pool. It floats in your pool and is easier and more effective than many door alarms.
4. GFCI and Pool Lights
The ground fault circuit interrupter, better known as the GFCI is a safety device used on installations with a higher than normal risk of electric shock. GFCI is a fast-acting circuit breaker designed to shut off electric power in the event of a ground-fault within as little as 1/40 of a second. Pool lights need to be linked to the GFCI to prevent electrocution.
5. Learn CPR
Ensure everyone in the home knows how to respond to aquatic emergencies by having appropriate safety equipment and taking water safety, first aid and CPR courses.
6. Keep All Glass Away from Your Pool
This summer Atlantis Pools has had to drain three separate pools due to glass tables in backyards that broke resulting in glass in the pool. I can not stress enough how important it is to keep all glass out of your backyard if you have a pool.
7. Spa Use and Alcohol
Alcohol and spa use should never go together. Common side effects of drinking while submerged in hot water are dehydration, heat exhaustion and drowning due to impaired reflexes.
At Atlantis Pools Inc., we want you and your family to have a safe and fun experience with your backyard pool. Please call us at (925) 736-0447, email info@atlantispoolsdanville.com or visit us online at www.atlantispoolsdanville.com to schedule a visit.
By Jon Lubrano, President, Atlantis Pools Inc.
