Having a swimming pool in your backyard allows you to enjoy it whenever you like. It makes summers more enjoyable and provides years of fun for your children as they grow up. But to ensure pool security, use safety pool covers in Stockton to keep little children and pets off the pool when it’s not in use.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 300 children under the age of five drown in swimming pools and spas. And the more ironic – and tragic – thing is that most of these deaths occur at residential swimming pools.
The National Center for Injury Prevention reports that drowning is the number two leading cause of accidental death for children age one to 14 years. For every child who dies from drowning, another four children receive emergency treatment for water-related injuries that can cause brain damage.
While having a backyard pool is considered a luxury, it also means responsibility.
Adding a backyard pool or spa is a big decision. That is why it is essential to know the means and the devices to keep the water and the pool in perfect condition and, most importantly, ensure your family’s safety.
It helps to educate yourself and your family about pool safety. Make sure that everyone in the family learns to swim well. You can sign your family up for private swimming lessons. Some organizations, such as the American Red Cross, offer swimming classes and online safety courses for pool and spa owners. Most of these courses cover pool and spa ownership risks, essential safety equipment and maintenance for a clean and safe pool and spa, and emergency response, among others.
You have to beware of certain pool dangers, such as drain suctions from pools and spas. The drain suction can be so strong that it can trap even the most able-bodied swimmers underwater. Install a drain cover that complies with the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Safety Act. The federal law was named after a seven-year-old child who died in 2002 after getting stuck on a hot tub drain. This law requires all public swimming pools to include a back-up anti-entrapment system to prevent pool and spa drain suction-related accidents.
It helps to keep the rescue and emergency equipment accessible and within reach in the pool area. Impose and maintain pool safety rules. When your children are near the pool, it is vital to keep your eye on them. The American Red Cross recommends having young children and non-swimmers wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets around water. But even with the most reliable life jackets, they still cannot replace supervision by experienced swimmers.
It is also wise to buy home insurance before building a pool or spa, so talk to your home insurance agent about this matter. When adding a swimming pool or spa, find out what safety features your home insurance policy requires, such as a barrier around the pool or a pool alarm, and whether or not there are any limits or restrictions. Not all home insurance policies cover all pool features, such as a diving board or a pool slide. Some policies may have specific requirements, such as minimum water depth under the board.
A standard home insurance policy is likely to cover the additional liabilities of having a pool or a spa, so talk to your home insurance agent about the costs and risks of home insurance.
To reinforce pool security, install safety barriers around the pool. For inground pools, install a high fence with self-latching and self-closing gates that open outward and away from the pool itself. Latches should also be out of reach of children. For aboveground pools, secure the ladder steps when your pool is ready to use, remove them after you are finished using the pool.
For an additional layer of protection, install safety covers for your inground and aboveground pools and spas. Make sure that you get them only from trusted pool covers manufacturers. Pool Covers Inc. offers safety manual and automatic covers for pools and spas of any shape, size, and style. We can cover new or existing pools and spas. Our safety pool covers in Stockton, as well as our spa covers, exceed ASTM standards, offering the best possible protection for you and your family and complete peace of mind.
