Top 5 Pool Safety Equipment That Works

Statistics will show that a large percentage of accidents happen not in public places but right in the vicinity of one’s home. This is especially true when there is a pool in the backyard. Yet it would be a shame to get rid of it because it is a great way to have fun with family and friends. The incidence of accidental pool drowning of children under 5 years old is alarming: 400 deaths and 3,000 injuries every year on the average. To derive the most pleasure from the family pool, whether in-ground or above ground, it is essential to research, purchase, install and properly use the following pool safety equipment:

1. Swimming pool fence or safety barriers – these are fences providing a perimeter around the pool with an access that can be locked. It is used to prevent very young children from wandering into the pool area unsupervised and falling into the pool. Unless the child is old enough to make a big enough splash, adults are usually unaware that the child has fallen in the water until it is too late. The pool fence should be of a sufficient height and construction to prevent young children from climbing over. Most state and local regulations exist regarding the required height and construction of pool fences.

2. Pool alarms – Pool safety alarms are used to alert an adult that a child or pet has fallen into the pool. There are several types of safety alarms, including the wristband sensor, the surface wave sensor, the subsurface disturbance sensor and the infrared motion detectors. The first three types have been tested by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission for reliability and have shown that the most reliable type is the wristband sensor, followed by the subsurface disturbance sensor. For all types of pool alarms, the vigilance and alertness of the adult supervising the child is still the best precaution there is

3. Automatic pool covers – These are motor-driven covers that conceal the water area of the pool. Also referred to as horizontal fences, they prevent access to the water by unaccompanied children. They are also effective safety devices because the child or children cannot see the water and are therefore less likely to try and take a swim on their own.

4. Annual winter covers – These are designed for long-term use because they are much more difficult to open and close. It would be best to select a cover that is made of fine mesh to avoid water pooling on top of the cover as children have been known to drown in a few inches of water.

5. Lifebuoys, reaching buoys and safety ropes – these are low-tech, readily available and purchasable items that could be extremely useful to have handy, especially when an adult supervising the child is unable to swim. They are not required for home pools but it would not hurt to have them around in an accessible place, not locked up in the garage or attic.

Most of this equipment need to follow The American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) F1349-91(2003) entitled Standard Performance Specification for Safety Covers and Labeling Requirements for All Covers for Swimming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs, which should be a consideration when purchasing pool safety equipment. Safety should be a priority at all times, and not just for compliance with safety regulations, especially when it comes to your own children.

Pool Safety