Top 5 Swimming Pool Safety Tips
Dreams of creating a backyard oasis with a new custom swimming pool usually center around plans of swimming, relaxing and enjoying the space with friends and family. But to create a truly successful and safe backyard experience, take into consideration these swimming pool safety best practices from the Florida Swimming Pool Association to ensure that you are and your loved ones are protected at all times.
The FSPA is a stellar resource for pool safety for Florida pool owners to educate and help prevent child drowning and entrapment in backyard swimming pools and spas. They advocate using “layers of protection” around your swimming pool to prevent unsupervised children from getting into the water and to prevent entrapment that could lead to drowning.
The layers of protection they recommend include:
1. Install Fencing & Gates, Latches & Locks
Fencing should be at least four feet high and have a self closing, self latching gate. Traditional fencing or mesh fencing should enclose the pool and remain in place when the pool is not in use. Fencing should meet the ASTM F 1908 standard. Windows and doors that open to the pool or spa area should all be equipped with self-latching devices.
2. Install Door & Gate Alarms
There are many devices on the market today that will sound a loud alarm alerting you when gates, windows or exit doors are opened and closed. Installing these will help you to know when a child has exited the home or entered the pool area. The FSPA stipulates that alarms should meet the Underwriters Laboratories standard UL 2017 for residential water hazard alarm equipment.
3. Utilize Perimeter & Motion Alarms
A pool alarm is designed to alert you when an unsupervised child has entered the water. An infrared alarm system is installed around the perimeter of the pool and sounds an alarm when the beam is crossed. Water motion alarms sense when the water is disturbed and sounds the alarm to let you know.
4. Use a Pool Safety Cover
Pool covers completely cover the pool or spa, blocking access to water. Backyard pool covers come in a wide variety of styles, sizes, and materials, including manual covers and high-tech automatic models. FSPA recommends a cover that has a label stating that it meets the ASTM F1346 Standard for pool and spa covers.
5. Ensure Pool Drain Safety to Prevent Entrapment
Entrapment and subsequent drowning can occur when hair, a limb or a person’s body completely covers a drain and the suction holds them in place. It can also occur when an item on a person such as jewelry or a bathing suit becomes entangled or stuck on a drain.
To prevent entrapment, use a properly licensed pool company who will help you understand your circulation, drain and drain cover options and will build your pool to standard as required by the Florida Building Code. Also request that drain covers be ANSI/APSP-16 certified and wall vacuum fittings be self closing/self latching.*
When using your swimming pool
If any drain cover is broken or missing, do not enter or allow anyone else to enter the pool. Call your pool professional immediately to make necessary repairs.
Do not allow anyone, child or adult, to play with or sit on any suction outlet (drain) or wall vacuum fittings.
Pull long hair back into a ponytail or a bathing cap.
Remove jewelry before entering the pool.
Replace any broken covers, missing covers or uncertified covers with ANSI/APSP-16 certified drain covers.
Post a list of rules and require anyone entering the pool to read the rules. Remind everyone not to play with drains.
Periodically have a licensed professional evaluate and, if necessary, maintain all drains and outlets.
*Southern Serenity Pools is a Florida licensed pool contractor and a member in good standing with Florida Swimming Pool Association. We build our swimming pools to the highest standards, including keeping up with the most current standards and building codes. Our number one priority is to make sure we build you a safe environment for you and your family to enjoy.
Sources:
Florida Swimming Pool Association