A swimming pool is a wonderful addition to any property. However, if you have just had one built, it's a good idea to think about what type of safety measures you can implement to protect those who will be using it, particularly if there are people in your household who are not strong swimmers (or cannot swim at all). Here are a couple of things you can do to ensure your new pool is a safe environment for your family and friends.
Invest in some safety equipment
Investing in just one or two pieces of high-quality safety equipment will go a long way towards minimising the risk of pool-related accidents occurring on your property. A fence is one option; this acts as a physical barrier which will secure the boundaries of the pool and ensure that no-one can gain access to it when it is not supposed to be in use. This is a good purchase for anyone with younger children, who may be inclined to wander towards the pool area and jump (or accidentally fall) into the water.
If you decide to buy pool fencing, think carefully about your choice of material. Wrought iron appeals to many people, largely because it is both durable and aesthetically pleasing. However, iron bars are quite easy for children to climb, and as such, may not be the best option if your top priority is preventing unsupervised access to the pool. A glass fence is a good alternative; this not only looks modern and sleek but is also difficult to clamber over. Additionally, it won't block visual access to the pool, like a wooden fence could for example, and as such, would be useful if you want to supervise your family from indoors whilst they're swimming in the water.
A more budget-friendly but equally effective option is a simple mesh fence. This is next to impossible to climb and whilst not quite as glamorous-looking as glass or wrought iron can usually be secured without permanent fixtures, meaning that you can remove it and keep it in storage during the months when the pool is not in use.
In addition to a fence, it might also be worth buying a surface sensor alarm. This comes with two parts, one of which is positioned above the water and one below. When a wave is created by somebody entering the water, these two parts will detect this motion and a loud alarm will sound. If you do invest in a pool alarm, it's important to make sure that it has certain features; it should come with a low battery indicator, be tamper proof and have a quick-reaction time (that is, the alarm should go off within seconds of a person entering the pool).
Implement safe-swimming practices
In addition to investing in the right equipment, it's also sensible to create some rules for those who will be using the swimming pool. Running around the edge of the pool, for example, should not be allowed, as this could result in the person slipping into the water and injuring themselves. Additionally, activities such as dive bombing should be forbidden, as this can not only endanger the diver, but also those who are already inside the pool (they could get hit by the diver or get pushed under the water by the waves that have been created). Last but not least, if you and your family intend to use the pool on a regular basis, it may be worth taking some basic first-aid and water safety courses, so that everyone knows how to respond if a pool-related accident occurs.
For more information, contact a company like Standrite Australia Pty Ltd.
Share1 December 2016
Hello and welcome to my construction blog. My name is David and I would like to tell you about the process of designing and building a new home from the ground up. I had always dreamed of building my own home and last year, that dream became a reality. I had been saving money for many years so I could afford to buy the materials and employ the contractors needed to construct my home. I learnt so much during the process, I decided to start this blog. It was a wonderful day when the final piece of my home was put into place and I am now very happy.