It’s no secret why swimming pools are so popular in Central Brevard County. With temperatures regularly creeping into the 90s and higher, swimming pools provide an oasis away from the grueling heat. They also provide a great space for exercise, outdoor entertaining, and stress relief. Owning a swimming pool, however, requires being aware of several safety hazards that can turn your haven into a hazard. In this blog post, we discuss 10 common pool safety hazards, and what you can do to keep your loved ones safe.
Always Clear Pool Cleaning & Repair is your course for high-quality pool services, as well as pool equipment repairs, upgrades, and replacements, in the Central Brevard County area. We proudly provide Viera, Cocoa Beach, Port St. John, Merritt Island, Cape Canaveral, Rockledge, Satellite Beach, Sharpes, Patrick AFB, and beyond with the best pool maintenance services that East Central Florida has to offer. To learn more about our services and get a free quote, get in touch with our team of pool service professionals today.
DIVING BOARDS
Diving boards can provide swimmers with a ton of fun, but they are also, by far, the most dangerous element of your pool. In fact, the vast majority of home swimming pools are not nearly deep enough for a diving board. The risk of spinal and head trauma is extremely high in pools less than nine feet deep. Removing the diving board from your pool and encouraging a no-diving policy can decrease the risk of accident or injury by as much as 50%.
WATER QUALITY
Do not underestimate the dangers of a green or black swimming pool. Green pools, black pools, and other poorly maintained pools are breeding grounds for harmful bacteria, which can cause staph infections of the eyes, ears, nose, throat, and skin, Harmful chemical levels in the water also pose significant health risks. This is why it is essential to maintain proper pH levels in your pool. The best way to ensure this is by hiring a professional pool cleaning service such as Always Clear Pool Cleaning & Repair. We offer year-round weekly pool cleaning, green pool cleaning, black pool cleaning, and acid washes to help keep your pool clean and clear all year long.
POOL TOYS
Surprisingly, many pool-related accidents are the result of toys that are not suitable for use in a pool. Many inflatable toys, such as large inner tubes or inflatable boats, can cause young swimmers to flip over and get trapped upside-down beneath the water. These types of toys should be reserved for the beach.
WINTER COVERS
Winterization covers are simply not strong enough to support the weight of a small child or medium-sized pet without falling into the pool. While they may look tempting to walk on, anyone who attempts to do so is putting their life in serious jeopardy. The best way to prevent this is by installing a pool fence that encloses the pool when not in use.
CHEMICAL STORAGE
Swimming pool chemicals are a potent mix of strong acids, alkalines, and poisons. While many of these chemicals react with each other, they are nonetheless often stored in the same location. This is why it is essential to keep all pool chemicals out of reach of children in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place. Make sure to store your poor chemicals away from direct sunlight, as this can cause overheating, and properly seal them after every use. Store each chemical individually to prevent dangerous reactions and do your research on what the risks are.
POOL SLIDES
Much like diving boards, pool slides may seem like a lot of fun but they are actually extremely dangerous. In fact, pool slides are the second most common cause of serious injury in swimming pools. Imaging letting your child play on a 9-foot ladder on top of concrete. That, essentially, is what a pool slide is. Thankfully, pool sides are becoming less and less common these days. Still, those considering this seemingly innocent addition to their swimming pool should be extremely wary.
ELECTRICAL EXPOSURE
It’s no secret that electricity and water don’t mix. This is why proper wiring is essential for having a safe swimming pool. All metal components within one meter of the water line should be bonded with a heavy ground wire loop, and all electrical devices that come into close contact with water, such as pumps, and lights, must be properly connected with a ground fault interrupter.
SLIPPERY DECKS
As swimming pool decks age and weather they can accumulate algae and become very slippery, especially in wet conditions. To reduce the likelihood of slipping or falling, it is essential to pressure wash your deck annually. At Always Clear Pool Cleaning & Repair we offer exceptional pressure washing services to Cocoa Beach, Cocoa West, Port St. John, Merritt Island, Port Canaveral, Rockledge, Satellite Beach, Sharpes, Patrick AFB, and Melbourne to help keep your pool deck safe and clean for everyone.
SUCTION LINES
When it comes to suction lines, some plumbing configurations are more dangerous than others, but all pool owners should be aware of the risks. When a single suction main drain, which is attached directly to the pool pump, becomes covered — say, with a body — this can create a vacuum effect that is far greater than what a swimmer can resist, causing potential entrapment, drowning, and disembowelment. Fortunately, single suction main drains are now illegal, but every year a significant number of children still fall victim to this violent death.
LADDERS AND STAIRS
Ladders and stairs are two other very common places for injuries in a pool. To help minimize this risk, we recommend using slip-resistant coatings or tape on ladders and stairs and colored nosing tile on pool edges. The risk of slipping is greatest at night, which is why it’s also important to illuminate your pool with an underground light. While many ladders have handrails installed into the pool deck, these can become loose over time. Make sure to check them regularly and tighten or replace them when necessary.
Get In Touch With Our Pool Maintenance Professionals Today!
Swimming pools can be fun for the whole family to enjoy, but they don’t come without risks. Remember to stay vigilant when it comes to keeping your loved ones safe in your swimming pool. Call Always Clear Cleaning & Repair today to learn how we can help.