With an assortment of must-have pool safety devices installed and on hand, pools can be enjoyably safe for all. Read on to learn about essential safety devices to make your swimming pool safer for children, adults, pets, and even stray animals.
Safety Devices: Fencing
In-Ground Pools
Solid fencing around your swimming pool is a crucial safety device to prevent kids and animals from falling into the water. A lockable gate means keeping your pool even safer and controlling who uses the swimming area.
Usually fast to set up and easy to remove, in-ground pool fencing structures have several different types of panel-locking mechanisms. The fence height varies, with five feet being about average.
Above-Ground Pools
You can choose a traditional fence for above-ground pools, however, you have the additional option of railed fencing designed to fit the top of the pool. As with in-ground pool fencing, the above-ground fences are lockable and help keep kids and pets out of the swim area unattended.
Safety Devices: Covers
Pool Covers
Swimming pool covers are designed to fit over pools to keep debris, animals, and people out of the pool when it’s not in use. Pool covers, are an essential safety device usually made of solid vinyl, are held to the deck or ground with strongly-secured, heavy-duty straps and can be removed when the pool is in use. A good safety measure is to always cover the pool when it’s not being used.
Drain Covers
In addition to covers for the top of pools, the sump drains at pool bottoms need to be covered as well. These vented, hard plastic covers or grates are attached with screws to safely cover the suction drain. This prevents swimmers from getting their hair, limbs, or other body parts entrapped in the outlet.
All drain covers or pool grates must, by federal law, be VGB-approved. This qualification means that the grate or cover is designed under the Virginia Graeme Baker (VGB) Pool and Spa Safety Act.
Safety Devices: Alarms
Pool Alarms
Alarms can be added to any swimming pool area, and there are different types from which to choose. Many have Bluetooth-compatible controls and can be used in both inground and above-ground pools, spas, and hot tubs. All pool safety alarms sense motion in the water and emit a loud siren to warn of a child, pet, adult, or animal entering the water. These alarms can be disarmed when the pool is in use and turned on when pool time is over.
Wearable Alarms
Small wearable alarms for children and pets warn parents if they enter the pool water. These safety devices are great for small children or pets that spend a lot of time outside. Some of these alarms, which include collar-attached varieties for pets and wristband styles for kids, have rechargeable batteries, while other models have long-life, non-rechargeable batteries.
Additional Safety Devices
Hooks and Poles
Narrow, curved, U-shaped hook ends are sold separately to fit onto standard life-saving poles. These safety grabbers are often made of lightweight yet sturdy aluminum. Someone in distress in the water can grab onto the hook end when it’s reached out to them, then be pulled to the edge of the pool.
Life Rings
Life rings, or lifesavers, are ring-shaped foam pieces that are made to stay afloat to hold up distressed swimmers who hang on to them. They are soft to hold yet also sturdy and buoyant. The outer ropes allow a life ring to be hung on a wall close to the swimming pool.
Safety Signs
There are many great signs available to hang around your pool area to help increase safety and enforce behavior rules. Safety rules such as “no running” or “no swimming without supervision” are great to put up around your pool. Signs like these will help deter children from entering the pool unattended and keep them safe when they are enjoying some pool time.
Safety Ladders
For above-ground or in-ground swimming pools, entry/exit ladders should be available and have non-skid steps for safety since bare wet feet can be slippery. Some safety-step pool ladders fold up and may be locked when not in use which, along with pool covers and fences, helps prevent unwanted pool access. Typically, swimming pool ladders hold up to 300 pounds.
Safety Rails
Some entry/exit pool ladders have small yet sturdy handrails. You can upgrade to oversized rails beside the ladder for added safety bar support. Safety rails can also be added to the entry point of the pool, whether you have an in-ground or above-ground pool. This will make entry and exit safer.
Critter Saver Ramps
Many owners of outdoor pools like to extend pool safety to small creatures such as frogs, lizards, turtles, squirrels, chipmunks, and moles that may accidentally fall into the water. Critter saver ramps are small pads often made from a heavy nylon blend material designed to attach to the edge of swimming pools and work well to offer an escape spot for little critters.
Buoy Rope Dividers
A rope with small buoys attached can be a great added safety device for your pool. When placed at different intervals in your pool, you can help to keep the water surface visible. These ropes can also be used to divide your pool into sections, commonly used to mark where the deep end begins.
Make sure you’re prepared with all the pool safety devices you need. Check out your local supply stores, like Al Shirley & Sons, Inc. or TLC Pool & Spa, or order online for all the safety devices you may need. When you’re ready to open your pool, contact Taylor Farms Water Hauling for all your pool water needs.
If you’re searching for clean, locally sourced water for your swimming pool, large event, construction site, or emergency service your search is over!
Taylor Farm’s Water Hauling is the area’s leader in water delivery for West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia and limited areas of Pennsylvania. You may contact us online or call us at 304.229.1194. We deliver water for any size swimming pool or hot tub, ponds, and cisterns. We also provide potable water for events and emergency services.
