Pool Safety

It's that time of year again. Heat and humidity make our families run to the pools and beaches. Last year, I wrote an article on pool safety. Though I grew up with a fear of the water, my girls love it. There are days it's almost impossible to get them out of the pool. Thankfully, there's always a responsible adult watching them, because I still don't swim a stroke. Maybe one day.

Here is a great article titled, "10 Tips for Preventing Accidental Drowning in Your Backyard Pool."

Let's have a safe and fun summer!

Keep Your Pool or Spa Drain Properly Covered to Avoid Entrapment

Keeping a pool or spa properly maintained is important to extend the life and enjoyment of it. One aspect of maintenance that can easily be overlooked is the drain. If the drain is uncovered,  or the cover is broken or improperly attached, it can lead to a person becoming entrapped. Without a proper drain cover, the suction from the drain can easily pull hair, clothing or body parts into the drain, entrapping the swimmer, causing injury or even death.

The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act was passed in 2007, which requires every public pool and spa in the United States to be equipped with anti-entrapment drain covers and other safety devices. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) followed up with a public awareness campaign in an "effort to reduce child drownings and non-fatal submersions, and entrapments in swimming pools and spas." This law does not, however, apply to residential pools and spas.

Before you or anyone you love steps into a friend's or neighbor's pool or spa, ask the homeowner if the drain is fitted with an anti-entrapment drain cover. These covers are dome shaped in a way that prevents objects or bodies from completely covering the drain and creating a dangerous suction. When visiting a public pool, be sure to check the drain covers. If they are flat, it might not be the best place for you or your loved ones to swim.

AquaStar® Super High Flow 8" Anti-Entrapment Suction Outlet Cover

Check your pool's or spa's drain cover at the start of the season to be sure it isn't broken. Those few extra moments could save a life.


This post sponsored by PoolGear Plus®.

Pool Season and Safety Go Hand in Hand

When pool season arrives, we turn our attention to safety. The family hasn’t had a little one running around in a while, but now that our nephew is toddling, we want to make sure he’s safe around the in-laws’ pool. That’s why we’re considering either a Pool Alarm or Pool Safety Fence.

The Safety Turtle®Child Immersion Alarm Kit includes: one Turtle Wristband including a 7.8 inch locking wristband, key, and matching "baby Turtle" coding plug for the Base Station. The Safety Turtle will work in all kinds of fresh water and no installation is required. A loud alarm sounds at the Base Station when the Safety Turtle is immersed in water, and continues to sound until the alarm is reset. It’s not so sensitive that rain or a light spray will set it off, and the battery will last for three to four years. It’s also portable.

The Above Ground Pool Safety Fence features molded mounting brackets, along with molded caps and stainless steel hardware to provide an attractive finished look. Easy to install, the modular kits allow you to choose how much you need, without ending up with extra parts. The fencing comes in white or taupe to match any décor. The Above Ground Pool Safety Fence comes with a five-year warranty.

Keep family and friends safe this summer with a pool alarm or safety fence.

This post is sponsored by PoolGear Plus, the fastest-growing catalog and Internet company in the US.