Safety Tips

Safety is very important when it comes to any recreational past time, pools and spas are no exception. Many safety issues are directed towards protecting our young ones and for good reason. Drowning is the second leading cause of death to children under 5 years old. We would like to inform you of some safety tips that will help you stay safe while you enjoy the luxury of your pool or spa.

Child Safety

Never leave a child alone near water. If you have to do anything, even something as simple as answering the door or changing the laundry, take the child with you.

Always have a cordless phone next to your pool or spa. A child can drown in the few minutes it takes to leave and answer the telephone. Drownings occur quickly and silently, often without any splashing or screaming.

If a child is missing, check the pool first. (Seconds count)

Always inform your babysitter about the pool or spa and the safety issues that it entails even if you do not plan on them using it.

Learn CPR. If a disaster were to happen, CPR is one of the best resources in assisting any drowning victim and can save a life.

Pool Safety

For above-ground pools, steps and ladders should be secured and locked or removed when the pool is not in use.

Swimming pool fencing and other protective barriers should be at least 4 feet high and installed completely around the pool. Fence gates should be self-closing and self-latching. The latch should be out of a small child's reach.

Never prop open the gate to a pool barrier.

Do not leave pool toys and floats in or around the pool. This attracts young children to the water.

Keep toys, particularly tricycles or wheel toys, away from the pool, spa, or hot tub. A child playing with these could accidentally fall into the water.

If you use any of the lightweight, floating pool, spa, or hot tub covers, be especially alert for the potential for drowning accidents. These covers are not designed for safety and no one should ever crawl or walk on them.

A secure safety pool cover is suggested. A pool cover that is designed to support two adults and a child on the cover. These come in many varieties that can be locked, opened, and closed by a motor or by hand.

Spa Safety

A Spa should never be over 104 Degrees Fahrenheit.

Never use a spa or pool with a damaged or missing drain cover. A damaged or missing drain cover can allow someone's hair, shorts, or the like to be sucked into the drain, trapping the individual under water.

To help prevent drain cover issues, ensure that your spa has at least 2 drains. This helps reduce the suction from a single blocked drain.

When the spa is not in use, a secure cover is essential that is unable to be opened by children.

Plainly mark the location of the electrical cut-off switch for the pool or spa pump.

If someone is entrapped against a drain, cut off the pump immediately. Instead of trying to pull the person away from the powerful suction, pry a hand between the drain and the person's body to break the seal.

Many of these tips are from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The tips provided here are to help keep you safe. They are not to be used as a substitute for professional advice, common sense, or instructions from your product's manual. Please use this information at your own risk.