Tag: kids

Living the In Ground Pool Lifestyle

When you have your very own in ground swimming pool, you in essence join an elite club of fellow in ground pool owners.  Although there are no membership cards or dues involved in this club, you will find yourself immersed in everything swimming pool related.  You may find yourself online looking at all things swimming pool related.

One of the best aspects of owning a swimming pool is finding new ways to enjoy it aside from the traditional way of swimming in it.  The internet is full of fun ideas that you and your family can do to get the most out of your pool.  These ideas are generally posted by pool owners to help their fellow pool owners get the most out of their pools.

Pintrest is a great platform to share information related to in ground swimming pools and really the swimming pool lifestyle in general.  I have found many interesting ideas on pintrest that I have used to enrich the lives of my own family.  Today I want to share with you some of the things related to the swimming pool lifestyle that I find enjoyable.

First of all owning an in ground swimming pool is a decision that you should not come to lightly.  This is a decision that should involve the whole family.  Some people make this decision to give their kids something fun to do each summer.  However many people without children get pools to give themselves a place to relax after a long day of work.  For them it acts as a fortress of solitude.  Regardless of why you decide to get an in ground swimming pool you will have many choices to make along the way.  Once that pool is installed it is up to you to make the most out of it.

For The Kids:

If you have decided on getting a pool for your kids to use it, is important to understand the safety aspects.  For one, if your children cannot swim, it is important to make sure they have some sort of adult supervision at all times.  However, this will be the perfect opportunity to bond with your children and teach them how to swim while having fun.  It can also become a daily after school routine if your children decide to join a swimming team or just let off some steam.  The fact there is a swimming pool in your back yard ready to go is perfect.  No need for traveling, wasting gas, paying fees to swim with people you do not know or having to worry about “where are the kids?”.  You will know at all times where the kids are and have easy access for getting to them.

In todays society, from elementary to high school kids, technology has taken its tole when it comes to being active.  Majority of children are now stuck from either looking at their phones or playing video games in front of a bright screen.  I remember the days when being outside was fun and every summer my folks would take my siblings and I to the public swimming pool to play in the water and have a great time, and I always did have an amazing time.  However, I did not like the fact everybody was separate from each other while we were at the public pool.  So eventually my folks decided to have a pool in our yard, which was better for everybody.  My parents were able to keep an eye on us and I was not separated from my siblings.  Not only that, but I was able to bring some of my friends over and have a mini barbecue.  So why not bring that kind of fun to your family?  The kids will have a chance to get off of their cell phones, video games and TV, and in exchange they get to have fun being outside in the comfort in their own backyard.  This gives them a change to be active, grow and be happy.

For Yourself:

Nothing wrong thinking about yourself and wanting to be able to spoil yourself.  So, why not spoil yourself with an ground pool?  Sounds like an amazing idea, because it is an amazing idea.  Correction, it’s not just amazing it’s fantastic.  There are other reasons to have a ground pool built in your background.  Some people do so for their families and children, which is still a fantastic idea.  However, there is nothing wrong thinking about yourself and wanting to do something for yourself.  If you have an issue being out in public pools, having your very own is perfect.  You can relax in the comfort of your home without the issue of other people.  Want to have your own party with close friends and family? Invite them over to your awesome place while having a barbecue, kicking back with a few beers and enjoying a nice swim or push your best friend into the water because why not, it is your home, your pool.

Pool Safety Precautions Part 1

Getting the most out of your pool requires that you take the right steps.  I think that one aspect of owning a pool that often gets overlooked is the safety side of things.  Pool ownership can be a wonderful experience if the proper precautions are taken into consideration.  It seems to me that many people overlook some of the basic steps that one could take toward a safer, fun filled summer.  If you have read my other posts, you will have noticed that a small hand full of them are specifically about how to stay safe around the swimming pool.  This includes everything from the proper chemicals to RWI’s, to steps you can take to ensure that people stay safe while swimming.  It has been a while since I have written about swimming pool safety.  For that reason, today I want to briefly touch on ways to ensure that your pool is safe.

Today, I want to start with the pool area itself.  I think that many people who decide to have an inground pool installed are those with children.  That being said, I think that as a parent they feel that their kids will not be swimming unless they are properly supervised.  Don’t get me wrong, that is a very good way to keep your children safe, but what about those what if scenarios.  You are busy with something, the pool is open, and kids are quick.  I am not trying to scare anyone here.  I just want to make sure people are aware that this is an area in which safety precautions can be made.
There are many entry points to the pool area.  In order to aid in keeping people out of the pool area, many people install a fence around the pool.  In fact, many places require that a fence be installed around the pool.  Regardless of if it is a requirement or not, it is always a good idea.  A fence acts as a barrier between your pool and those that may want to access it.  One thing to keep in mind when it comes to pool fences is gating.  To increase the security of the pool area, it is a good idea to have a gate the will automatically close itself and latch itself.  It should be at least four feet high and latch at the top.  This will make it difficult for little ones to open.  In addition to that the gate should open away from the pool area.  This means that if you are entering the pool area, the gate should open toward you.  It may seem kind of trivial, but in reality if a little one were to try and access the pool area, they would likely have to stand on something to reach the latch.  If the gate were to open toward them, they would soon find out that they are in the way of the gate opening.  Often times a pool is in close proximity to the house so most people will use the house as the forth side.  Basically just fencing in their backyard.  While this will work, the house will likely have entry points to the pool area that are fairly easy for someone inside to access.  For this reason, if you are intending on using the house itself as one of the barriers it is a good idea to install some kind of alarm system on the doors and windows leading to the pool area.  This would allow you to know if a door or window is being opened on the pool side of the house.  This is likely not a requirement, however it is a very good idea, especially if you have young ones in the house.
In addition to the fence, another very popular addition to a pool to increase safety is an automatic cover.  This will allow you to close the pool while it is not in use.  This, coupled with a fence would provide two barriers for someone to get by if they wanted to access the pool.  A nice feature of an automatic cover is that they usually require either a key, or a code to operate.  If you keep the key in a safe place and out of reach from small hands then you will increase the security of your pool.
There is another small, yet important thing that you can do to make your pool area a safer place.  If you have children and a pool, then you will likely have an abundance of swimming pool toys.  To help ensure the safety of your young ones, it is a good idea to simply pick up the pool toys and store them in a place where they are out of sight.  Many people purchase one of those plastic deck boxes for this purpose.  It is totally enclosed and provides a place that toys can be stored where they will not blow away and where they will be hidden from the kids.  Why does this matter?  Small children often have one track minds.  If they see something that they want the will try to get it.  I have seen this behavior with my own son when he wants my cell phone and then throws a fit when he can’t have it.  Let’s say that it is a nice summer evening and you have spent a fun day with the kids in the pool playing with the pool toys.  Now the pool fun is over and you are all inside yet you left the pool toys floating in the pool.  If one of you kids looks out the window and sees that toy they had fun playing with earlier, then they may be inclined to try and retrieve it.  It may seem like a long shot, but that is how the world works sometimes.  Having all the toys picked up and put away where they can’t be seen will help to eliminate that need to play with them again later on.  Remember with little ones, in most cases if it is out of sight, it is out of mind.
For more information on how to stay safe around the pool please check out my other posts.  Also keep checking for new posts on swimming pool safety, and as alway feel free to comment on this post and others I have written.

Outdoor Fun for the Family

Being that we are approaching the winter season, and in some areas feel as if we are already in the winter season I want to use this post to try and bring a little warmth back to you.  To do this I am going to dedicate this post to fun outdoor activities that you can do with your kids when the summer time finally comes back.

I have written specifically about how swimming pools can benefit the lives of you and your family.  In order to keep from repeating myself I want to gear this post more toward activities that you can do with your family in the summertime.  The best way that I can think of to do this is basically to walk you through a day of fun activities that I do and will do with my own kids.  Well at least one kid for now, the second is still on the way.  Thinking ahead to the future there will come a time when I will have to come up with ideas for fun filled summer days.  At this point in my blogging experience I have made it clear that I want my children to have a similar childhood experience to my own without all the electronic devices and video games that many kids today fill their days with.  I don’t intend to offend anyone, it’s just that I feel that a child will benefit much more by being outside and active than they would by being secluded in the house laying on the couch with their nose glued to a screen of some kind.  Okay rant over.

There are plenty of parents that feel this way and many have taken to Pintrest with ideas of ways to get their kids outside.  So taking a bit of information from them it is not too difficult to come up with ways to get kids outside.

My son, like many other younger kids wakes up early everyday and is ready to start playing.  He is a lot like me in that he is not too interested in eating right away.  My wife and I will generally let him play with his toys for a little bit in the morning or he and myself will sometimes pretend to be monsters and try to get Mommy.  This is all in an effort to make him smile as well as work up an appetite.  It doesn’t take too long before he is ready to eat.  Depending on the weather, this is our first chance to get him outside.  Sometimes we like to have our breakfast on the patio.  He seems to enjoy this a good deal as it is not something we do every day.  In addition to that it is a good opportunity for him to use his senses by looking all the little critters like squirrels, and allows him to hear the birds chirping.  Usually he is quick to notify us that he sees, or hears something interesting.  This is the first part of our fun filled outdoor day.

After breakfast we clean up and get him ready for the day.  Once he is changed we usually have a few hours before lunchtime.  This is another opportunity to get him back outside.  We have a fairly large backyard with things for him to do.  we have a sand box full of toys, and other outdoor toys that he can play with.  Sometimes we will just chase each other around or again try to get Mommy.  One of his favorite things in the world is bubbles.  He loves to chase bubbles around the yard and we have a cheap little bubble machine that will make sure that there are plenty of them for him to chase.  It also benefits Mommy and myself by keeping us from hyperventilating while trying to keep up with a bubble popping little boy.  There is one thing that I want to try with him, however I will have to wait until he is a bit older.  Orienteering is a “sport” in which a compass and map are used to navigate from point to point.  Of course these points would be predetermined by Mommy and myself.  This may not sound like a lot of fun for a youngster but I think by adding a surprise at each point I could make it more interesting for him.  This would keep him active and give us something fun to do outside.  It will also teach him how a compass and map can be used to find your way.

It won’t be long before it is time for lunch and again we will try to eat our lunch outside.  We may have our lunch on the patio again, or we might pack it up in a basket and grab a blanket and have our lunch picnic style in the grass or at the park nearby.  If we do have a picnic one thing we might do is, lay on our backs on the blanket and try to show our little guy the clouds.  I have done this in the past but usually it is short lived.  Clouds don’t do much, so his attention quickly goes elsewhere.  It’s always worth a try though.  After lunch we will play a bit more, and then it’s time for a nap.

We like to go to Grandma and Grandpa’s house in the summer because they have a pool.  My son can’t swim all by himself quite yet but with Mommy and me in the pool with him he is getting much better at moving around in his little floaty.  I don’t know if it is just because he and I are both boys but we like to team up on Mommy a bit.  Let me tell you, one of his favorite pool activities is splashing Mommy.  She is usually a good sport about it, but I feel bad from time to time.  It has got to be tiring running from us all the time.  When we are at my parents, they love to feed us dinner.  More often than not this hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill.  My parents have a very nice deck by the pool with several tables, that we often eat at in the summer time.  In addition to that we have turned their shed into a tiki bar of sorts.  None of us are big drinkers, but my Dad loves to make milkshakes and root beer floats for us all, and my son defintitely loves the milkshakes.  After dinner we will generally stay a little while to hang out with my parents.

When we get home my son usually seems to get a second wind and wants to play some more.  I like to use this time to take him outside and teach him how to catch fire flies. (or lightning bugs depending on where you’re from)  Although it’s Mommy and I who generally do all of the bug catching, it still gives him the chance to see them up close.  We have recently moved further into the country so there is a new critter that comes around in the summer time that we get to observe.  Tree frogs seem to love the siding of our house in the summer evenings.  I showed one to my son last summer but I think he was a bit too young to really appreciate it.

As the evening comes to a close we like to watch a movie to get him to settle from the exciting day.  I know that I said I want my kids to be active and all that, but I don’t think a little T.V. time will hurt.  I usually take all the pillows from the couch, lay them out on the floor, and cover them with a blanket to make a pillow bed.  He loves his pillow bed a lot.  There he gets a little snack and a drink.  It gives him a place to relax while watching one of the 30 Disney movies that we have before bedtime.  Given the active day, he usually won’t make it through the movie and either Mommy or myself will carry him off to bed.  I am really excited for this summer to come for one reason in particular.  I have access to an HD projector that I can plug into my laptop.  I plan on having an outdoor movie night sometime this coming summer.  We will set up a tent in the backyard and project the movie onto the side of the house.  We may or may not sleep in the tent, but that will be up to my son when the time comes.

These are just some of the things my wife and I do and will do in the summer with our son.  I can’t say that we do all of these things everyday because in reality I think this is more exhausting for my wife and I than it is for our little guy, but we do certainly try to find ways to make his summer days more fun and to get him outside for at least a little while each day.  You can use these ideas for your own summer fun or as I have said before, Pintrest is a great source for outdoor summer fun.  I know this post is a little outside of what I normally write about, but I hope it will inspire my readers to find ways to be active with their kids this coming summer.

 

How to increase summer fun

It’s cold outside at the moment.  The winter weather is already starting to show up.  Some places have already gotten a lot of snow.  There are basically two kinds of people when it comes to winter weather.  Those who like the snow and those that dread every day of it.  Regardless of how you personally feel about this season you know that eventually it will end and the summer sun will come back out bringing with it all the fun of the summer season.  The amount of fun that comes next summer will depend on what you put into it.  Some people look forward to going on vacations to exotic places.  Some will plan on taking their families to amusement parks with fun characters that walk around bringing smiles to the faces of young and older folks alike.  While I understand that these types of vacations are very fun for families, the problem that I see with them is that they often end in a week or so.  That leaves you with the rest of the summer to try and figure out how to keep the kids entertained and more importantly, active.

I grew up with video games just like my sons generation will, however I was never one to be content with sitting in front of the T.V. for hours playing games.  Perhaps I was too easily distracted with other things.  I was the kid who was always outside getting dirty, and in some cases getting into trouble.  That is how I hope my son will be in the summertime as he gets older.  Obviously I don’t want him to get into too much trouble, but I feel that is a part of being a kid.

I certainly don’t want my son to sit in front of the T.V. every day playing games or on an iPad or any other source of virtual entertainment.  I would rather him go out and play freeze tag, go fishing, go swimming or anything else that is active and won’t get him into too much trouble.

I feel that these are the two biggest reasons why people decide to get an in ground swimming pool.  Instead of spending thousands every year on vacations and overly priced souvenirs people are taking that money and putting it into their own backyards.  They get a pool, they get an outdoor kitchen, they get an outdoor fireplace, and surround these things with beautiful landscaping.  This is all in an effort to save money in the long run.  They turn their own backyards into a place where they can spend their summers and have a lot of fun.  They host pool parties for their kids, they enjoy backyard barbecues with their neighbors, friends, and families, and when the kids go to bed they turn their pool lights and landscaping lights on and go outside to have a drink on the pool deck overlooking the sparkling water.

This is also a way to get the kids outside and active for a while each day.  Just imagine your children having lunch on the patio from time to time during the summer.  They awake each morning anticipating the moment when they can finally go outside and go swimming.

One thing that I will be doing this summer with my son is have an outdoor movie night, and maybe letting it turn into a backyard camping trip.  I will set up the screen and projector on the back patio and put the tent in the yard so we can lay in our sleeping bags and watch some fun kids movies until he falls asleep.  Ideally he will sleep all night but I get the feeling that he will probably wake up at some point and want to go inside.  I will never know unless we give it a try, who knows, it may turn into a yearly daddy, son adventure…. (Mommy can come too if she wants, that is if she lets me do this in the first place)  At any rate the point is that having your very own backyard oasis opens the door for virtually endless summer fun.  I think that putting your money into your own backyard is really worth considering.  Get a pool, get a out door kitchen, get a fire pit, do some landscaping, and get you and your family outside this coming summer.  I have written about a variety of different reasons why one should do this.

For more information on why having your own vinyl liner in ground pool will benefit you and your family just scroll through my blog and read a bit.  There are a lot of benefits to having your own swimming pool.  So many that there is likely to be at least one that will peak your interest.

The Thrill of Owning an In Ground Swimming Pool

There is a feeling of pride that people get which comes with owning an in ground swimming pool.  I think that this feeling of pride comes from the fact that they have something beautiful in their backyard and it is also something that brings them much joy each and every year.  I am sure that for some it is the fact that they have something that their neighbors don’t have.  For others it may be due to the smiles that the pool brings upon the faces of their children.  Some may see it as a status symbol, while others may not even take into consideration that their neighbors envy them.  Regardless of how this feeling of pride comes about, the fact remains that it is there.  In addition to that feeling of pride, a swimming pool offers much more than most people even realize.

In the past I have gone into detail about the different benefits that an in ground swimming pool offers.  Today I just want to recap on some of these things.  Lets start with the fact that having your very own swimming pool can possibly allow you to save money in the long run.  Many people take summer vacations every year and take their families to different places.  It has been a while since I have gone anywhere on vacation but way back when I did, I recall it costing a pretty penny.  I am not the type that takes a vacation every year but just based off the last time that I did I can assume that doing it over and over each year would eventually add up over time.  This cost would quickly out weigh the cost of installing your own pool.  In addition to that if you are the type of person that typically takes their family to the local public pool throughout the summer you are probably aware that there is some cost associated with that as well.  It may be a membership fee, the cost of gassing up the car twice a week to get there, or the cost of snacks, and drinks while you are there.  With an in ground pool of your own these costs would drop off significantly.  What I have just described is what is known as a staycation.  That is where a family invests money in their own backyard anticipating that they will stay home during the summer and use their own backyard as their vacation spot.  The quality of that staycation is dependent on how much time and money you put into the backyard.  Some people may be fine with doing the minimum, while others go all out and get the best of the best.  Typically an in ground pool plays a huge role in this staycation, but those going all out usually take it a couple steps further.  Once they get a pool they compliment it with a magnificent landscape.  Or they incorporate and out door kitchen or fire place into the design to give their backyard a complete makeover.  It truly is an investment.  People do all of these changes anticipating that the new backyard space will act as a vacation spot for their family for years to come.  If they do it right then the amount of money they save by not going to some exotic location each year will eventually out weigh the amount of money that they spent on the backyard.  This is just one thing that having your own swimming pool can offer.
There are also some physical benefits to owning a swimming pool as well.  I have written before about how swimming can benefit the body.  Swimming is a work out,  additionally it is a low impact workout.  That being said, swimming is the perfect work out for older people, or pregnant women.  I know that when my wife was pregnant she was alway uncomfortable and one way that she could get some relief was to get into the pool.  Floating around in the pool took a lot of the stress out of her lower back and joints.

I maintain that it is important for children to learn how to swim.  Originally I thought that it was a good idea just for safety reasons, but as I learned more and more about it I began to realize that for younger children especially, learning to swim aids in the development of their thinking ability as well.  Studies show that the act of teaching young children to swim helps develop their minds.  It comes down to listening and following direction.  Still, teaching your children how to swim for safety reasons is valid enough for me.

Another thing that you should consider is the fact that a swimming pool offers a fantastic place to just relax.  With the right type of lighting a swimming pool can become a place for romantic dinners on the deck.  Keep in mind that the decision to get a pool should not just come from the fact that your kids want one.  Don’t get me wrong that is a good reason to consider getting a pool, but you should also get enjoyment out of it as well.  Once the kids go to bed the pool can become a place for you and your significant other to sit, relax, and let all the stresses of the day go away.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, a swimming pool is a wonderful addition to the backyard cook out.  It goes without saying that you would need a pool to successfully have a pool party as well.  If you are the type of person that enjoys entertaining then an in ground pool would go a long way.

These are just some reasons why owning an in ground swimming pool offers a thrill for people young and old alike.  For more information on in ground swimming pools in general please check out my other blog posts.

Swimming Pool Safety Tips

Swimming pool safety is probably the single most important part about owning a pool.  After all, the fun of owning a pool goes away if it is not safe.  Even though I consider my pool safe I am always on alert when I have people over.  Especially if those people include kids.  I have written several posts about how to be physically safe in the pool.  The fact is that I have probably covered most precautions that can be taken to remain safe in the pool.  Today I am going write a post to refresh the memories of those who have already read my previous posts on this subject.  If this is your first time reading one of these posts then pay close attention, the information within is especially valuable if you have children.

To start I want to discuss the things that you can do to help ensure the safety of those using your pool.


Electrical

  Being that there have been a few instances this year already of people being shocked in their pools, or community pools I want to stress the fact that you should have the electrical components of your pool inspected each year.  If you see that the light in the pool has water inside of it or even if it has algae starting to grow then that is a sign that there is a leak in the light.  A leaky light can be a dangerous thing.  Today more and more builders are using low voltage lighting in the new pools that they install, however years ago all the lights installed in pools were the standard 120v.

Bad Idea!!!

Another thing to watch out for is people using electrical devices too close to the pool.  I understand that having a radio playing while people are enjoying the pool is a very nice luxury, however just make sure that it is either running on batteries or that it is at least five feet away from the water at all times.  Obviously water and electricity do not mix so do your best to not get an unfortunate reminder.

Overhead wires are another concern of mine.  Not that they are going to suddenly fall into the pool or anything, but there is a degree of danger that is associated with them.  Think about what you do in regard to pool maintenance.  I know that a lot of people will vacuum their pools at least once a week.  Keeping that in mind, what things do you need to vacuum your pool.  Does a long aluminum extension pole come to mind?  This is where the concern lies.  When someone is vacuuming a pool they are focused on the bottom of the pool and not necessarily what is above their heads.  Aluminum conducts electricity quite well and one slight touch of the pole to an overhead wire could very well be a horrible mistake.  Just be cautious please.

Fence

Having a fence around your pool goes a long way in keeping people safe.  Many states require a fence around the pool.  Some will allow you to have either a fence or an automatic pool cover.  Check your local building codes to determine what is needed at your pool.  If you do end up getting a fence around your pool there are a few things that you should keep in mind.  One is that the fence should be at least 4 feet tall.  I would personally go a little taller on it but that is ultimately up to you.  Another thing that you should be aware of is that the gate to access the pool area should open away from the pool, and have some kind of automatic latching mechanism on it at the top so that it cannot be left open.  You may be wondering why it matters that the gate opens away from the pool.  Think of it this way, if the latch to open the gate is at the top then a little person attempting to gain access to the pool area would have to get a chair or something to stand on in order to reach it.  More than likely they will place it right in front of the gate.  If they do get it unlatched, making sure it opens toward them would add an even bigger challenge and likely force them to give up.  Does that make sense?  If the chair they are standing on is in the way of the gate opening then they will be more likely to give up trying to gain access.  You could even go as far as installing an alarm system on your gate, or having motion activated lights in the pool area to deter anyone from trying to sneak in at night.

Automatic Pool Cover

This is an added bonus to the safety of your pool.  In case you are not aware, there are covers available that allow you to open and close your pool at the touch of a button, or the turn of a key.  Typically this is something that would have to be installed as the pool is being built, but if you have one then you are a step ahead in the pool safety game.  These covers will usually come with either a code activated key pad or an actual key that you will have to turn and hold to uncover and cover the pool.  Obviously if you don’t have the key or don’t have the code then gaining access to the pool will be much more difficult.  These are not always required but they definitely add to the safety of the pool area.

Clean up the pool area

This is more for if you have smaller children in the house.  The theory behind this is that if a lot of pool toys are left scattered around the pool after “pool time” is over then small children might see them and be tempted to enter the pool area to retrieve a toy that they remember having fun with earlier.  If you as the adult were to remove the pool toys from the pool area, or store them in a deck side container of some sort then you will have effectively removed the temptation to enter the pool area later on.  Along with this idea is the notion to have an ordinary looking chlorine feeder in the pool rather than one that looks like a dolphin or alligator or whatever.  Cute little alligator or dolphin chlorine feeders in the pool may look like toys to smaller children and possibly give them that temptation to enter the pool area again.

Have an undistracted, responsible adult supervise children in the pool

The key words in this are “undistracted”, “responsible”, and “adult”.  This does not mean teenager, with ear buds, and a Facebook friendly smart phone.  The supervising adult should be alert and capable of reacting quickly.  Great grandma and her life alert pendant might not be the best supervisor for the swimming pool.  Ideally the supervisor should be an adult and have the understanding that they are there to watch the swimmers.  They should be unconnected from the internet and have no other distractions while they are supervising.  Although being tuned into your smart phone while supervising is a bad idea, actually having a phone nearby is a very good idea.  In case an emergency were to occur you would be able to call 911 without having to leave the area.

Make a Pool Safety Tool Kit to keep near the pool

You can put anything you want in this kit but there are some things that you should definitely have in there.  Below is a short list of the must haves in your pool safety too kit.
1) A first aid kit
2) A pair of scissors – to cut hair, clothing, or a pool cover it needed.
3) A charged telephone  – to call 911 in the event of an emergency.
4) A floatation device – Foam noodles, water wings, and little inflatable rafts are not life saving devices – They are toys and do not replace the need for supervision by a responsible adult.

There are many other ways to ensure the safety of those using your pool.  For more information regarding pool safety please check out my other blog posts with “Safety” in the title.  You can also check out http://www.poolsafely.gov/ This website will give you the most up to date information available on how to remain safe in the pool.  You can also find more general and specific information on vinyl liner in ground pools by checking out my other posts.

 

Swimming on the 4th of July

Well folks July 4th is just a couple days away.   We all know that this day is in celebration of the United States of America’s freedom, but in all honesty for most people I think that this holiday has somewhat transformed into a day to get family and friends together to enjoy the day in the company of loved ones.  To some people the idea of this day losing its original meaning is absurd, but let’s think about it for a second.  We have the freedom to celebrate however we may choose… Within reason of course and that is what makes it so wonderful.  My family is one of those that celebrates this day by spending time together.  All my brothers and sisters are now grown and my parents are both retired and we have all gone our own ways, but on the 4th of July we all get together for the day and do what most families do.  We cook out on the grill, spend time in the pool, and in the evening we all go out and watch the fireworks light up the night sky.  We all know why this holiday exists and we teach our children the same thing.  However there is no denying the fact that this day is a perfect day to do something together.  I am certain that many families across the country will be doing the same thing.  What I want you to realize is that you are able to do this because people once fought for it.  The same way people today are fighting for it.  I think we sometimes take our freedom for granted without realizing what goes into it each and every day.  Now being that this blog is intended to relay information about swimming pools, I feel as though I should say something about them.

The fact is that without the freedom that we have, many of those who have a pool may not have had the opportunity to get one.  For me, I can’t think of a better way to spend a summer afternoon than in the pool with my wife and baby boy.  My son just turned one and everything he sees is still brand new to him, but so far nothing has gotten the reaction that being in the pool has gotten.  One of my favorite thing to do is to see his face when I show him something new.  Each time his eyes gets wide and a huge smile stretches across his face, it also brings a smile to mine.  The pool is something that he has taken a special liking to more so than anything else.  He is all smiles the minute he gets in, unfortunately that smile turns into a huge fit when it’s time to get out.  However the entire time we are in the pool it’s like something I have never seen.  In just a matter of a week or so he was able to maneuver around the pool by kicking his legs.  That is something that I had never seen.  A little baby being so at home in the water that it is like second nature to him.  This is his first summer in the pool and I seriously think that he will be able to swim by the end of the season.

I know that this post doesn’t pertain to any specific product or idea related to swimming pools but I just wanted to share because I feel that in today’s world where everyone is worried about the future and what lies ahead for us as a country, it is important to enjoy the things in life that hold the most value.  To me that is the time I get to spend with my family, and on July 4th that is where I will be.  We will be in the pool in the afternoon and we will go see the fireworks that evening, and I will cherish every second of it.  To some it may look like I am misunderstanding the meaning of why we celebrate this day but I know that without our independence days like this might not exist.  I don’t think that we have to prove our patriotism to anyone by wearing red white a blue, or spending a fortune on fireworks because I know that when I see a family all together enjoying the day, they are in turn celebrating for the right reasons.

From my family to yours, have a safe and wonderful Independence Day.

How Much Work Does Owning A Swimming Pool Require

Owning a swimming pool can be a wonderful experience and create lasting memories for those who have them.  Just think about all the good times that can be had without leaving the comfort of your own property.  I’m talking about pool parties, backyard bbq’s, forming bonds with your family members, getting the kids outside for a change, getting well needed exercise, relaxing after a long day, or a special date night with dinner and drinks on the patio overlooking your beautiful backyard resort.  These are all things that owning a swimming pool can provide.  For some though, the requirement to maintain the swimming pool is enough to deter them from making the decision to actually get one.  This doesn’t need to be the case.

Bonus Points Being Earned

When I envision my backyard in the summer time I see my beautiful patio overlooking the pool where my family spend most of their time in the summer.  I see myself teaching the young ones how to swim without having to purchase a Y membership or ever leaving the backyard.  I see lunches on the patio with the family, and dinner being cooked on the grill.  I see my beautiful wife sitting in the sun overlooking the kids as they play.  I see family friends over enjoying the pool on weekends, and the kids having pool parties with their friends.  I see my wife and I sitting outside in the evening after the kids have gone off to bed, wine glasses in hand with the lights from the pool reflecting off the house as we enjoy our time alone.  Most of all I see smiles on the faces of everyone that takes the time to enjoy our pool.

Unfortunately some people do not see those things and instead they visualize themselves spending countless hours cleaning and maintaining the pool.  They see themselves spending far too much money on chemicals and they see themselves spending more time working on the pool rather than enjoying it.  To those who think this way I want to tell you that those days are over.

I have already written about how to have your vinyl liner inground swimming pool clean itself but I want to reiterate it so those of you that have not read it can get a better idea of how it is done.  First of all if you live near a lot of trees you might think that if you get a pool you will be cleaning it every day.  When the leaves fall and get blown around in the wind they will inevitably get into the pool.  This is probably true, but with the technology that is available that does not necessarily mean the you will need to get the pole and net and fish them out every day.  Sounds unbelievable right?  Well believe it because it is true.  Paramount Pool Products has created a system that will remove the debris for you, so all you have to do is enjoy your pool.

MDX-R3

They have come up with a system using a special main drain called the MDX-R3 that will suck up any leaves, bugs, or dirt that comes near them.  With the MDX-R3 you will get a secondary drain called the SDX.  This drain gets installed on the wall of the pool to provide some added safety.

SDX

So if the MDX ever gets blocked by something the SDX is capable of taking on the full suction of the pump.  This has two benefits, one is that the pump won’t run dry, and the other is that if the object blocking the MDX-R3 is a person they won’t become stuck.  As an added bonus the SDX will remove any small debris that happens to be floating by mid level.

SwingJet

In addition to the MDX-R3 and the SDX Paramount has created a special type of return jet called a SwingJet that will help to push the debris to the main drain so it can be removed.  The way it works is that the swing jet moves in a 90 degree arc and has plenty of power to push debris away.  The key is to have a few of these SwingJets strategically placed throughout your pool to effectively deliver the debris to the main drain where it is sucked up and removed.

As an added benefit the SwingJets will also circulate the water much better than a standard return.  This will allow the heater or heat pump to work more efficiently and reduce the cost of chemicals.  Now you may be wondering where the debris goes from there.

Well I’m glad you asked.  There are a couple things that can be done with it.  You can either let it be strained out by the pump basket, or you can have their Debris Canister collect it for you.  If you expect to have a lot of debris in the pool I would suggest the Debris Canister as it can hold much more than a standard pump basket.  The canister will be installed deck side where you can access it without having to leave the pool area.  You will basically just need to open a lid, remove a basket, dump it, and re-install it in the canister.  Because it holds a significant amount of debris you will find that you will not have to dump it all that often, and when you do you will see that the process of emptying the canister takes far less time than it would to sweep the pool by hand.  I’m talking a matter of seconds versus maybe an hour to sweep the pool.  So with this system you will find that you will be spending far less time if any actually cleaning the pool.  Now you might say “Okay, that’s all well and good for larger debris and dirt and stuff, but what about all the tiny little organisms and bacteria that grows in a pool?  I will still be spending a bunch on chemicals.”  Well to that I would say that Paramount has got you covered.

Clear O3

They offer two products that effectively eliminate 99% of that without requiring you to lift a finger.  The Ultra UV and the Clear O3 are two products that sanitize pool water and reduce the amount of chemicals you will need to maintain the pool.  The Ultra UV uses ultra violet light to kill those nasty little things that grow in the pool and the Clear O3 utilizes ozone to kill these types of things.  When the two products are combined with the SwingJets, MDX-R3, and the SDX you get a virtually maintenance free pool.

For more information on how to have a virtually maintenance free pool take a look at my 3 part blog post titled How To Have Your Vinyl Liner Inground Swimming Pool Clean Itself.  Also check out Paramount’s website www.paramountpoolproducts.com

Are Swimming Pools Safe?


Information in this post can be found at www.poolsafely.gov
Are swimming pools safe?  This is a question that is on the minds of many parents around the country.  When it comes to children, you can never be too careful.  It is our jobs as parents to make sure that our little bundles of joy remain safe and happy.  So, it is normal to be a little apprehensive when it comes to swimming pools, especially if it is a situation where they will be going to a friend’ s house to swim.  Obviously, there is a potential hazard in any activity with water involved.  However, the pool itself is not to blame for accidents that may occur.  The pool has no intentions of doing anything other than just being a large puddle of water.  The question is, are your children in a position to remain safe at a pool?  This question can be answered by asking a few follow up questions.  Who will be supervising my kids?  Are they responsible?  Will the adults be drinking?  (This may seem like an unnecessary question, but think about how many weekend pool parties/ cookouts where there is alcohol present.)  Do the adults know CPR?  Do they have safety equipment readily available?  How many people will be there?  These are all valid questions and if there is any doubt to any of these questions then maybe allowing your children to go is not in their best interests.

I am a new father, and maybe I am just too protective of my son, but I am at a point where I will become visually upset if something should happen to him that could have easily been prevented.  I just don’t like seeing him upset.  When we took him to get some shots for the first time, I was not very happy.  I understand that it is what’s best for him, but man, that scream he let out was the worst sound that I have ever heard.  You had better believe that if he is ever invited to a pool party that is not at my house when he is older, I will be asking every single one of these questions, and probably a full background check of the parents.  Well, maybe not to that extent, but I will have definitely have to meet them first.  In any event, if I am not sure of something he will not be going or I will be accompanying him.  I have been around swimming pools my entire life and I understand first hand the importance of knowing how to swim.  When I was young my family was on vacation and at a hotel with a pool.  I knew how to swim a little, but when I accidentally jumped into the deep end of the pool and couldn’t touch the bottom I started to panic and inhaled a bunch of water, followed by another huge breath of water.  Luckily, there was a
man nearby who saw me struggling and pulled me from the water.  I think that experience is why I am so concerned about my own sons well being.

The first thing I will do is teach him how to swim.  I think that is a very important skill to have, and I am always shocked when I come across an adult who can’t swim.  When the time comes that my son wants to go swimming, he will be supervised by a responsible adult who understands that until my son is back on solid ground, their only job is to keep an eye on him.
That means that my son will not be watched by some teenager playing with their iPhone, and he will not be watched by an adult who has spent the afternoon drinking beer with their neighbors.  While it is not a good idea for the one supervising to be on their phone looking at Facebook or Twitter or any other social media site, it is important that a phone be close by in case of an emergency.  That way they can call for help without having to leave the pool area.  I would ask how many people will be there simply, because if there will be a lot of kids in attendance then it becomes more difficult for the supervisor to keep a close eye on everyone.  That is why larger public pool typically have several life guards.

 

It is also important to have safety equipment readily available.  These items include things like a Shepard’s hook, flotation device that can be thrown and retrieved, and life jackets.

That last one there is really important to me.  Young children should always wear a life jacket in the pool.  They are designed for safety, and to keep people’s heads above water.  Things like those foam noodles, or “boogie boards” as we call them, or even “water wings” are not adequate for safety.  Life jackets are the way to go.  I place a lot of importance on knowing CPR, especially if you have children.  I also want to point out that seeing CPR done on T.V. or in a movie is not adequate.  Take the time to take a class and get certified.  There are major differences in the way CPR is administered between a small child and an adult.  Stay up to date on your certification too.

So are swimming pools safe?  I think that with the proper amount of precaution and education, enjoying a swimming pool is a perfect way to spend a summer afternoon.  Swimming pools are not dangerous unless we let them be.  The danger comes with not being prepared to properly use and enjoy the pool.  If you have a pool make sure you also have safety equipment available, keep a phone nearby, stay alert and focused, know CPR, and teach your children how to swim.  This post is not intended to scare anyone.  I just wanted to inform people that there are additional precautions that can be taken to reduce the risk involved with swimming pools.  I love swimming, I have been around pools my entire life, and my son will be too.  I will take the proper preemptive actions to keep him safe and I would suggest that you do the same for your loved ones.  I want everyone to have a very enjoyable summer (if it ever gets here).  Swimming pools make memories, and bring families together so enjoy them and as always be safe.

For more information regarding pool safety please visit http://www.poolsafely.gov/

 

Keeping Your Children Safe Around The Pool

I know it seems really far off, but summer is right around the corner.  For me here in Indiana, with another snow storm on its way, it can’t come soon enough.  I know that I have written about pool safety before but it is something that is extremely important.  Too many people lose their lives before their time is up.  In this post I will highlight some of the things that you can do to make sure that you and your loved ones have a safe and fun summer around the pool.  When many people think about pool safety, they think that because they and their family know how to swim that they are fine and do not need to take any extra precautions.  I am a firm believer that knowing how to swim is one of the most important parts of pool safety.  Unfortunately, it’s not good enough in many cases.  As pool owners, we need to take extra steps in an effort to keep our pool environments safe for everyone, and there are some basic precaustions that can be done to help keep your pool safe for everyone.

Teach your children how to swim.  This is the first step you can take to ensure that your children are safe in the pool.  While the ability to swim is important, when around water it is not always enough.  If you have children around the pool, it is very important to keep an eye on them.
Watch your children.  When children are swimming it is important to designate an adult to supervise.  Furthermore, supervision should be the only thing on that adults mind.  No social media, texting, or talking on the phone.  The supervising adult should be free from distraction. That adult must also be prepared.

Put together an emergency pool safety kit.  This kit should be kept near the pool anytime someone is swimming.  The following are some items that should be included in your pool safety kit.
1. First aid kit
2. Pair of scissors (for cutting hair, a pool cover or clothing that may become caught on something under water.)
3. A charged telephone for calling 911 in the case of an emergency.
4. A flotation device.

These are just some items that may help in the event of an emergency.  In addition to that, the supervising adult should make sure that children stay away from anything that could cause them to become trapped.  This includes drains, ladders, pipes, and any openings.  You can also share your knowledge and safety instructions with family, friends and neighbors.  Learning CPR, and staying up-to-date with it,  is another preemptive action you can take to ensure safety.  In an emergency, seconds count and knowing what to do will greatly improve the odds.

There are additional precautions that you can prepare with to help keep your loved ones safe around the pool.  They include installing a fence, or an alarm system, having a safety cover, refraining from drinking around the pool, and several others.  For more information regarding pool safety please see my other related blog posts or visit poolsafely.gov for up-to-date information regarding swimming pool safety.  There you can also see information on recalled pool and spa products as well as read stories that people have shared.  These are just some ways to improve the safety around your swimming pool.  Feel free to read my other blog posts and stay tuned for future posts as I strive toward posting once a day.