How to Make Your Pool Safer for Your Family
Fencing, presence detectors and non-slip materials help keep your pool area accident-free
With spring on its way, it’s a good time to evaluate your pool and have it ready for the bright days of summer. Every year, a large number of pool accidents are reported. Some happen on the pool’s perimeters and others inside the pool. Slippery areas are among the most problematic. Though adults are reported to suffer from a pool’s many hazards, children ages 1-4 are affected most.
Crystal Pools, original photo on Houzz
It’s impossible to know when and how an accident will happen, but taking necessary precautions and following common sense can save lives. When your children are playing in or around the pool, be extremely vigilant, don’t ever leave them alone. Remove toys from the pool; these can tempt kids to go inside when you are not looking. Also, teach them how to swim as soon as you can.
To help you keep your family safe, I made a list of ideas you can implement in your pool’s design. The goal is to attain a pool you can enjoy and at the same time feel confident about.
Contemporary Pool, original photo on Houzz
A house like this one, with a beautiful pool, is a dream of many homeowners everywhere. It’s a symbol of the good the life; a vacation in your home. Making it a safe environment for your family naturally takes priority.
Pool fences are the best way to go if you want to have control of the area. Fences don’t need to be an interruption. Glass fencing is an increasingly popular alternative to wood and metal. They keep everyone safe and still allow you to enjoy the beauty of your pool.
Ask a Deck and Patio Professional About Anti-Slip Surfaces
Crystal Pools, original photo on Houzz
It’s imperative to treat all surfaces surrounding the pool area with an anti-slip coating. Coating will last a long time and will improve safety in the area.
Make sure you can see the pool from your house, either from surveillance cameras, a window or a presence detector. Most child accidents happen when parents can’t see what’s going on in and around their pool.
Make getting to the pool a little harder. This is another example of a glass fence that interferes with kids going straight to the pool.
escale design, original photo on Houzz
The concept of having your kitchen right next to the pool sounds very appealing, but indoor rooms in proximity to a pool can be dangerous. Separate these areas with railings to keep safety first and your view second.
Leave enough space for walking around the pool. Too many furniture pieces can turn into obstacles and hurt people in case of slipping.
Crystal Pools, original photo on Houzz
Concrete or wood are not the only materials used in pool design. Another way of preventing your family from slipping around the pool is by keeping grass around it.
It’s also a good idea to have railings that deter outsiders from entering the pool area. Some people who suffer pool accidents happen to have them at a stranger’s house; don’t be that stranger.
How to Keep Kids Safe Around Pools
