Information All Pool Owners Should Know

Pool owners should be concerned about the safety around their pool area. Pools are supposed to be fun but they do require some responsibility. Below is a list of possible dangers that every pool owner should be aware of. We've provided information that should help prevent accidents from happening. We hope these safety tips will make your pool area a safer environment so you can relax and enjoy your backyard more comfortably.

• A pool with an improper chemical balance can be a health hazard. Over-chlorination can cause red eyes, hair discoloration, skin irritation or even hospitalization. Test the water before swimming especially if chemicals were recently added.
• Drowning can occur to children or inexperienced swimmers that accidentally wander off into the deep end. Floating dividers help prevent this by separating the deep end from the shallow end. Always have an experienced swimmer by the pool when it is being used.
• Private pools don't require depth markings but they're a good idea to help prevent someone from diving into shallow water.
• Anything that can snag a swimmer's hair or clothing beneath the water level could result in drowning.
• The pump pulls in water by means of a strong vacuum through the main drain. That vacuum is so strong that anyone lying on the main drain at the bottom of the pool while the pump is running could be held down by a force of up to seven hundred pounds (that's right, 700 pounds). This is enough force to rupture the skin or even trap an adult underwater resulting in drowning. It's OK to swim by the main drain but don't lie on top of it!
• Improper use of diving boards and slides can cause serious head injuries or even death. Always use them responsibly.
• Chlorine tablets are put into the skimmer baskets for pools without chlorinators. When the pump is not running, the water in the skimmer baskets becomes still and allows the chlorine tablets to dilute. When chlorine dilutes into a small volume of water, that water becomes highly concentrated with chlorine. Someone could breath it in, get it in their eyes or even ingest it while swimming in the pool. Pets and animals could drink out of that skimmer basket if there is no lid on it. A chlorinator is the best solution for this problem.
• Chlorine and shock can cause fire or explode if mixed with other chemicals, liquids or oils.
• A small whiff of shock or chlorine can knock you unconscious. Always keep pool chemicals stored in a safe place.
• The anchors for safety covers can cause someone to stub their toe if they're not totally set into the ground.
• Skimmer baskets for Inground pools with broken lids or missing lids can cause someone to sprain their ankle if walked on.
• Extension cords and appliances like televisions and radios that are close to a pool can be a threat to swimmers. Every power supply circuit for electrical equipment around the pool area should include a Ground Fault Interrupter (GFI). A GFI will avoid potential danger by shutting off power if a sudden power surge occurs. This protects swimmers from dangerous and possibly fatal electrical shocks.
• Heaters get hot and could burn someone's hand or leg when direct contact is made.
• When dealing with gas heaters make sure that the heater is in a safe environment far away from any debris such as dry leaves, spray cans, chemicals or any combustibles. Make sure that there is no leakage of exhaust gases into any building. This is especially important if the heater is installed indoors. Improper venting can cause serious illness or death from carbon monoxide poisoning. If you suspect a gas leak or smell gas, shut off the heater, turn off the gas valve and call the local gas company to have a professional fix the problem.
• Enclosing a pool with a fence with self-closing and self-latching gates helps keep children, animals, and non-swimmers out of the water when there's no one around. Most communities require this by law.