Top 8 Pool Safety Features Every Homeowner Needs
Need to ensure your pool is safe?
Hundreds of fatal swimming pool injuries happen each year that could have been avoided by proper pool safety. Recent statistics showed a worrying rise in deaths by pool with 380 child drowning deaths recorded in 2021 alone.
The good news?
These risks can be reduced substantially with the right safety measures.
What you’ll discover:
- Understanding Pool Safety Statistics
- Basic Pool Safety Features
- How to Select the Right Safety Equipment
- Tips on the Safety Features’ Maintenance.
Knowing Why Pool Safety Is Essential!
Safety in a pool is more than following rules. According to new data, there were 358 pool-related fatal drownings annually on average in 2019, with 75 percent of the victims being under 5 years old.
More troubling, these numbers are on the rise. Installing a good pool security system from reputable companies such as Poolguard is no longer optional to keep your family and guests safe. They have sophisticated safety functions that ensure the ultimate in protection for every pool proprietor.
That number is telling – from just-published data between 2021 and 2023, the numbers are about 6,500 pool-related emergency department visits per year. Worse, information reveals that 40 million US adults are incapable of swimming.
What are some safety precautions that all pool owners should consider?
Pool Safety Fencing: First Steps to Protect Your Pool?
– Pool fencing is absolutely essential and your number one pool safety investment. A quality pool fence also puts a tangible barrier between your pool and any children or pets that are left unattended and could get into trouble.
But here’s the thing…
Not all pool fences are created equal. There are some specific needs your pool fence must have to function correctly:
- Not less than 4 feet high and no footholds or handholds.
- Auto-opening and auto-latching gates that are opened outward.
- No wider than 4 inches between vertical slats.
- Material is not climbable and can tolerate weather conditions.
A swimming pool fence can be the difference between safety and disaster. That’s why it’s important to buy good quality products and skilled installation.
Pool Alarms: Your Emergency WatchGuard On Call Around The Clock.
Pool alarms are your 24 hour pool guard. These are revolutionary devices that monitor the pool for unauthorized access and warn you right away. Pool emergency situations increase every year, so it is a must to protect with multiple layers of coverage.
Below are a few types of pool alarms you should know:
- Surface wave sensors to sense water disturbance.
- In-water motion sensors for in-water motion detection.
- Pool area gate and door alarms for access points.
- Children and pets wearable alarms.
But here’s the thing a lot of people don’t realise…
The best pool safety system utilizes many alarms. It builds a full safety net, which makes accidents much less likely.
Safety Covers: Not Just A Pool Cover
But want to know one of the best pool safety precautions?
A good safety cover acts as an impenetrable shell around your pool. Safety covers are more robust and will resist the impact of heavy weights without causing accidental submersion rather than other pool covers that just repel debris.
That’s evident in the data – the latest data shows that 37% of pool-related injuries are residential. An appropriate safety cover will also serve as a horizontal fence that will completely prevent water access when the pool is not in use.
Anti-Entrapment Drain Covers: The Unseen Enforcer
Well, here’s the trick…
The most deadly pool danger isn’t what you can see, it’s what you can’t. Drain entrapment can generate strong suction to submerge swimmers. This is especially dangerous for children, who might not be aware of the risk or strong enough to escape.
That is why anti-entrapment drain covers are the must have addition for any pool. These specialized covers are meant to keep swimmers out of the water thanks to strong pump suction. They work by:
- Avoid sealing against the drain.
- Spreading suction to a larger surface area.
- Including emergency shut-off features
- Achieving rigorous safety regulations to guarantee safety.
These covers became a required part of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act for public pools, but should be included in all residential pool owners as well. They’re not super expensive when compared to other security systems, but they can save lives.
Pool Lighting: Illuminating Safety
One thing most pool homeowners forget…
The correct pool lighting is more than an eye-catcher – it is an important safety accessory that can help prevent dangerous nighttime falls. Good lighting allows you to:
- Check swimming activity at night clearly.
- Notice hazards inside and outside the pool.
- Use pool steps and pool edges safely.
- Quickly identify anyone suffering.
The best pool lighting features overhead, under and perimeter lighting to remove shadows and darkness. All this combined for ultimate nighttime visibility and safety.
Emergency Tools: Always In Hands
But want to know what professional lifeguards never leave behind?
There must be a well-maintained pool safety station for any domestic pool. Being prepared with the proper emergency equipment within arms’ reach can be the difference in a crisis. Every pool should have:
- Reaching pole or shepherd’s hook.
- Many life rings or tubes.
- Full first aid kit stocked with the basics.
- A panic bell or telephone.
And the most important thing…
These safety devices need to be convenient to find and to maintain. They should be stored in an easily accessible place and be inspected periodically for quality of operation.
Non Slip: Preventing Pool Side Falls
Then, here’s what will probably come as a surprise…
Swimming pool-area slip and fall injuries are just as serious as drowning injuries. Since about 6,500 pool-related accidents occur annually, avoiding these crashes is critical.
You simply must have nonslip surfaces around your pool. This includes:
- Patterned concrete or stone flooring.
- Anti-slip coating treatments
- Pool step and ladder treads.
- Rubber mats on busy areas.
But don’t forget about maintenance. The best non-slip flooring must be cleaned and maintained frequently in order to keep them effective. They are eroded by the elements and chemical treatments.
Pool Policy & Signage: Establishing Prone Restrictions
Here’s something that’s often overlooked…
Clearly communicated pool regulations and signage are important safety measures. With data revealing that over half of all US adults never had a swimming lesson, clear safety instructions are crucial.
Your pool rules should be:
- Clearly seen by all pool users.
- In plain, straightforward language that you can follow.
- Include emergency contact information
- Address all major safety points.
Concluding Your Pool Safety Inspection.
Pool safety features are not a nice-to-have accessory — they are life-saving necessity. Especially in an age of more pool accidents, having such safety precautions is not an option any longer.
Keep in mind that the best solution is to use multiple safety features together. No one precaution is completely risk-free, but taken together, they form protective shields to significantly lessen accident rates.
The cost of such safety features could be high but can you really price security and the safety of your family? Do something today to keep your pool as safe as you can – you might save a life tomorrow.
