Above Ground Pool and Spa Company Blog

The following barrier recommendations are the result of identifying key parameters that typically contribute to child drowning in backyard pools. These recommendations are the minimum steps you can take to make your home a safe place for your child.

Barriers are not childproof, but they provide layers of protection for a child who strays from supervision. Barriers give parents additional time to locate a child before the unexpected becomes a reality. Barriers include a fence or wall, door alarms for the house, and a power safety cover over the pool. Barriers also may be used to protect children from accessing hot tubs and spas.

Use the following recommendations as a guide:

Fences and gates: Install a fence or other barrier, such as a wall, completely around the pool. If the house is part of the barrier, the doors leading from the house to the pool should be protected with an alarm or the pool should have a power safety cover.

The fence or other barrier should be at least 4 feet high. It should have no foot- or handholds that could help a young child to climb it.

Vertical fence slats should be less than 4 inches apart to prevent a child from squeezing through.

If the fence is chain link, then no part of the diamond-shaped opening should be larger than 1-3/4 inches.

Fence gates should be selfclosing and self-latching. The gate should be well maintained to close and latch easily. The latch should be out of a child’s reach.

Door alarms: If the house forms one side of the barrier, then doors leading from the house to the pool should be protected with alarms that produce an audible sound when a door is unexpectedly opened.

Install an alarm that can be temporarily turned off by an adult for a single opening of the door by using a keypad or switch that is out of a child’s reach. Battery and electrically powered alarms are available. The keypad switch can be used by adults who wish to pass through the door without setting off the alarm. It should be placed high on all doors leading from the house to the pool. Affordable and easily installed alarms are available. An alarm signal immediately tells a parent that a door has been opened.

Make your above ground pool a safe place for your family to enjoy. Please remember supervision is number one, so get in there with the kids and have a great time!

Thoroughly treating and cleaning your pool on a weekly basis during the swimming season will ensure clean and safe swimming water. Here is a list of the weekly maintenance you’ll need to perform.
Skim Off Leaves and Debris
Use a long-handled leaf skimmer to gather up leaves, insects, and any other debris floating on the surface of the pool. Try to remove debris before it sinks to the bottom of your pool where it becomes difficult to remove and may create stains.
Brush
Use a brush to remove dirt that has collected on the sides and bottom of your pool
Vacuum
Submerge your vacuum head and hose, before hooking up the vacuum to the filter.
Clean Skimmer(s)
You should also clean out your skimmer(s) weekly or more often if necessary. Removing debris allows the skimmer to operate at maximum efficiency.
Check Water Circulation
Your pool’s circulation system includes the skimmer, pump, pump strainer, drains, and filter. The system helps chemicals work effectively and ensures that water is properly filtered. Run your pump long enough each day to make sure the water is properly filtered and keep each item clean and in good condition.
Check Filter
The three most popular types of filters – sand, cartridge, and vertical grid DE – screen out debris and particles from your pool water. You should clean and maintain your filter according to the manufacturer’s directions.
Shock
Test your pool water frequently (daily or weekly depending on use) and add chemicals if necessary, following manufacturers’ directions. A regular shock treatment cleanses the water of algae, bacteria, dirt, and any other organic matter that may have entered the pool. Follow manufacturer’s directions for shock treatments.
Advice
Always feel free to call The Above Ground Pool & Spa Company for more detailed instruction.