Drowning is the world’s third leading cause of unintentional injury death as per the report of the World Health Organization. Around 360,000 deaths are recorded annually. However, it is even more alarming that even with this degree of deaths recorded, people continue to turn deaf ears and choose not to take actions to prevent such accidents.
In this article, we would like to emphasize the importance of safety while enjoying your favorite water activities. There are a few precautions that you can do to minimize drowning. These includes:
- taking intermediate to advanced swimming lessons,
- keeping a close watch to children at all times,
- swimming with a buddy, and
- having pool safety equipment easily available in the pool areas.
Different Pool Safety Equipment
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You might be asking what are the top pool safety equipment that you should get for your pool. Well, choosing the right safety equipment actually depends on whether you are protecting your pets, children, or adult family members from drowning.
Below are some of the products that you should consider:
Safety Vacuum Release System
Pools and spas have a circulation system that sucks water from the pool, filters and heats it, and then returns it to the pool. This system helps keep the water in the pool clean and free from contamination.
This sounds like a harmless system, but danger arises when the swimmer gets pull down by the suction. In this case, the swimmer’s hair, clothing, or limbs may be pulled and trapped in the drain.
To avoid such accidents, installing a Safety Vacuum Release System or SVRS is an excellent idea. A Safety Vacuum Release System is an automatic device that turns off the pools suction ability when it senses any objects or parts of the body being trapped in the suction outlet. Thus, the swimmer can easily free himself or his hair or clothing from the suction outlet and swim back to the pool surface.
Drain Cover
Aside from using the Safety Vacuum Release System, you can also opt to have a pool safety drain cover as well. Drain covers work differently from the Safety Vacuum Release System. While the SVRS disables the pool’s suction ability so that you can swim back to the surface, pool safety drain covers, on the other hand, just lessen the powerful suction of the drain. This prevents the suction outlet or pool drain to completely trap the swimmer’s body against the pool drain.
In most cases, pool safety drain covers are used to cover the main drain. The main drain of the pool is usually located at the bottom of the pool. As an added safety precaution, it is best to check regularly that the drain cover is missing, broken, or is not properly installed.
Pool Fences
This is a special type of pool fence that can be installed around the pool area to restrict access of children and pets to the pool. Pool fences are usually the choice for fiberglass pools. They are detachable and can be removed when you want to use the pool. Ideally, pool fences should be around 6 feet tall or tall enough to prevent small children from climbing over the fence.
There are various pool fences available on the market. Check them out below!
Types of Pool Fence Based on Material Used
Aluminum Fences
This is a cheap pool fence material known for its lightweight and low maintenance property.
Steel Fences
If what you’re looking for is a sturdier and more durable pool fence material, then you should go for a steel one. This is heavier and more durable than the aluminum one. The only concern that you should be checking when using a steel pool fence is the quality of its coating. Make sure the steel is coated properly to prevent rust and corrosion.
Wood Fences
Most pool owners who choose wood fences are after aesthetics and privacy. Wood fences can cover the entire pool area and give it a rustic feel. The most notable downside of using wood fences is that wood requires high maintenance. Wood is also not as durable as steel and aluminum.
Vinyl Fences
Vinyl pool fences are also a great choice if you are after a fence that can resist water, chemicals, and humidity. This is the perfect choice for an above ground pool as vinyl fences are low maintenance, attractive, and can last longer.
One disadvantage of vinyl fences is that they are not usually available in taller versions. Another one is that they are slightly expensive than wood fences. However, the durability and low-maintenance features are the key selling points of this type.
Composite fences
Composite fences look like wood but require less maintenance. Composite is a material known for its strength, owing to the combination of compounds and components. This is the go-to choice for those who like the appearance of the wood fences but want the durability of the vinyl material.
Pool Safety Net
Pool safety nets serve as a barrier that can cover the entire pool. This pool safety equipment is specifically designed to safeguard your pets and children from accidentally falling into the water.
When buying a pool safety net, always check the net’s squares. Make sure the squares are small enough that pets and children won’t fall through when stepping on top.
Pool safety nets are particularly helpful when the pool is not in use. You can easily install and remove the safety net in just a few minutes. Various brands have different installation instructions, but the basic step is just to hook several sections of the pool net onto the brass anchors situated around the pool deck.
Most pool owners prefer the pool safety net as compared to the pool fences. One reason is that children and pets can’t climb over and underneath the pool net. In the pool fences, however, there is still a tendency that your pets or kids can climb over the fences and get into the water.
Still, the best way to secure safety is to never let your child and pet use the pool alone. Keep a close watch and always have floating devices on standby.
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