Common Pool Hazards and How to Prevent Them
Common pool hazards can quickly derail a perfect summer day when all you want is some fun in the sun! Summer is here, and so is pool season. We know you’re ready to dive in, but first, let’s have a quick chat about safety. We’re going to go over a few common pool hazards and how you can prevent them, ensuring that you have a fun and safe summer ahead!
Slip Hazards
Slipping around the pool may be the first and most common pool hazards. Water causes slippery surfaces, this much we know. When you’ve got people splashing water around and having a good time, water gets all over your pool’s surrounding surfaces. Making sure that those surfaces are slip-proof is a smart way to minimize the risk of a slip-and-fall incident. This includes everything from decks to ladders. You should also make sure that all of these surfaces are kept free of algae, which can get very slippery.
Bad Lighting
The idea of a midnight swim may sound enticing, but poor lighting is actually a serious danger to your health. You need to be able to see what’s going on around you, from people in the pool to puddles on the deck to if there’s anything in the water that shouldn’t be.
Drains
Your drains pose a strong risk to safety. These drains can be very powerful with their suction. If they aren’t properly covered and protected, then the people swimming around them could become trapped in them, meaning trapped underwater. While they can survive if they’re rescued, the force can actually be enough to cause bodily harm. Make checking your drain covers a part of your routine checks for common pool hazards along with all of your other pool equipment.
Lack of Supervision
If you have small children or pets, you absolutely should not let them be around the pool without someone being present to supervise them. Lack of supervision is one of the leading causes of drowning, so taking this seriously is crucial. Be present and in eyesight of your kids and pets if they’re going to be out in the pool, and make sure that you have safety measures like fences and pool covers in place to keep your pool area secure.
Water Quality
Keeping your water clean and safe to swim can’t be overlooked as a common pool hazards. If your water isn’t properly maintained, there could be any number of diseases that could pop up in anyone who swims in it. Make it a habit to check your pool’s chemical balance, filtration system, and pool cleanliness. If your water doesn’t look right, don’t go in until you find out why.
Chemical Storage
Speaking of chemicals, you need to make sure that you’re keeping your pool chemicals stored properly. These types of chemicals are dangerous, make no mistake, and some of them even react negatively with each other. Do your research and make sure that you know what not to store together, and make sure that everything is kept in a cool, dry, secure storage area.
Unsecured Pool Area
This is a big one that we already touched on, but your pool needs to be protected from unplanned visitors. Your pool should have a least one of the following: a pool cover, a full fence surrounding the area, alarms on doors leading to the pool, or something along these lines. These measures will help keep unsupervised kids or animals from getting into the pool and putting themselves in danger.
Your pool can be a great place to cut loose and enjoy some relaxation, but you need to be aware of what can go wrong so that you can fully immerse yourself in the fun. Think about the common pool hazards before your season starts and remind others so all can stay safe. Remember, a safe pool is a great gift to yourself and your loved ones.
Don’t forget to install a Baby Barrier Safety Fence. These are specifically designed for each pool to keep your family, pets and guest safer, even when you are not watching your pool. Check out all the safety fence options and schedule your estimate today!
Now get out there and have fun and be safe!