| Do you have a pool in your backyard? Are | | | | around your pool. Vinyl construction is |
| you thinking about building one? If so, | | | | usually preferred and maintenance free. |
| you know just how fun this can be. While | | | | Make sure the fence you purchase is UV |
| pools are enjoyable, if the proper | | | | Protected especially if your pool is |
| precautions are not in place you may be | | | | located in a sunny location. Check the |
| asking for trouble. It is crucial to | | | | fence to make sure there are no gaps. |
| make sure you have all the essential | | | | Many kits have clear installation |
| items especially if you are going to | | | | directions and it is crucial to follow |
| have small children in the area. For | | | | the directions and make sure to keep |
| this reason, it is very important to | | | | your warranty in a handy place for |
| exercise the proper level of pool | | | | future reference! POOL LINERS Covering |
| safety. Not being careful in this area | | | | your pool during the offseason is a |
| could lead to disaster in the long run. | | | | practice that has become more and more |
| So what are some of the more common pool | | | | common over the past years. TEST KITS |
| safety items that you need to be aware | | | | Every hour at our local pool, the |
| of? The following bullets outline some | | | | lifeguards mandate that every swimmer |
| of the common pool safety items you | | | | retreat from the water. They sit at the |
| should purchase. POOL ALARMS First and | | | | edge and pull out a test kit to check |
| foremost, you may want to look into | | | | the levels of chlorine in the pool. This |
| purchasing a swimming pool alarm. The | | | | is a practice that is mandated every |
| great thing about one of these is that | | | | hour to ensure our safety. While a home |
| you can prevent problems before they | | | | owner may not have to test their pool |
| ever occur. There are many different | | | | every hour, it is extremely important to |
| types of alarms to choose from. They | | | | check levels using the proper equipment |
| include: door alarms, perimeter alarms, | | | | on your home pool before allowing people |
| and wave sensor alarms among others. | | | | to swim in your pool or your hot tub. |
| Weigh the pros and cons of each before | | | | Many new Test kits exist to give you |
| buying. POOL LIFE SAVERS Moving on, pool | | | | clear accurate results in seconds. When |
| life savers are also very important. In | | | | it comes to pool safety equipment, there |
| most cases, one of these will be just | | | | are many items that you can purchase. |
| fine. But if you want to play it safe, | | | | Having a swimming pool can bring a lot |
| look into buying a few. After all, it is | | | | of fun to your home; not to mention the |
| better to be safe than sorry. Make sure | | | | fact that it will increase your |
| that you purchase high quality life | | | | property's market value, but please make |
| savers, and that you check them | | | | sure you have all the necessary items to |
| approximately once a month to ensure | | | | ensure safety for all who enjoy your |
| that you know where they are and that | | | | pool! |
| they are in good working condition. POOL | | | | Phil Tripp is an avid swimmer and pool |
| FENCES Keeping intruders and children | | | | owner. Phil browses stores in search of |
| out of the pool is important. Many | | | | the top pool equipment and pool safety |
| states have laws to regulate pools and | | | | equipment to ensure optimal standards |
| require a fence be installed properly | | | | are being met for pool owners. |