Swimming pool ownership brings with it responsibility for the safety of those using the pool and people and pets around the pool.

Every year a number of people are tragically injured or even die as a result of swimming pool related accidents. Some of the most common accidents and injuries include:

1. People slipping and falling resulting in various injuries, sometimes very serious
2. Children and pets falling into an unattended swimming pool
3. Children snagged by the swimming pool drain and held underwater
4. Falls from the rim of above ground pools
5. Above ground pools collapsing as a result of people standing or sitting on the rail or rim.

Employing a few basic safety steps and rules will go a long way towards lessening the hazards presented by a swimming pool.

Above Ground Pools
Above ground swimming pools are one of the most popular styles as these can be installed with minimal ground work often by a competent DIY enthusiast. When the pool is installed it is important to ensure that the access ladder is very secure and located where it can be used easily.

For users of an above ground pool it should be a rule that nobody should sit or attempt to stand on the rim or railing surrounding the pool. Falls from the edge can cause serious injury and the weight of a person could cause the pool wall to collapse.

In Ground Swimming Pools
In ground pools present their own safety hazards. Being at ground level means that it is much easier for a child or an animal to fall in. As a rule, children should not be allowed to use the pool unless supervised by an adult. Another good rule is that there should be no running or horseplay around the perimeter of the swimming pool.

Swimming pool safety fencing, pool alarms and pool safety covers can all be used to keep people and pets away from an in ground pool when not in use.

Swimming Pool Chemicals
Dangerous swimming pool water treatment chemicals should be stored safely out of reach of children. Appropriate protection should be used when handling harmful pool water treatment chemicals. Always read and follow the manufacturers safety recommendations.

Pool Drains and Vents
There have been cases of small children trapped below the water by powerful pool water outlets. Pool drain covers should be inspected and verified as safe. If the pool is used by small children they should be instructed to keep away from the outlet drains and it should be ensured that small children cannot be trapped by the suction.

Pool Electrical Equipment
Swimming pools use a variety of electrical equipment for circulating the water through filtration and cleaning. Equipment should be routinely inspected for safety ensuring that all cabling is safe and secure.

While it may seem like a chore to make a swimming pool safe and enforce some basic safety rules doing so will go a long way toward keeping people and pets safe and giving you peace of mind.

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If you're lucky enough to own a private swimming pool, spa or hot tub. Then you'll know that it's essential to keep your pool clean to use. To do this, you have to use swimming pool chemicals. Most people will know about pool chemicals, but do they know how potentially dangerous they can be?

Swimming pool chemicals can be dangerous, and even deadly. On January 14th at Clear Lake High School in Texas, 5 workers were taken to hospital after one of the 5, a contractor, mixed 2 chemicals together. The gases given off by the chemicals gave the contractor a head ache. He and four other school employees were sent to hospital.

Another example, which had the potential to harm alot more than 5 people, was in Ceres, a home depot store. The store was evactuated after a fire began in the Garden Center part of the store. The fire then spread to pool chemical containers which were then damaged, releasing toxic fumes into the store. Chlorine and other chemicals were released, however, the fire was contained thanks to the stores sprinkler system.

Only one person was injured due to the fumes, however, if the sprinkler system has not proven to be affective, then the fire could have become even more serious as more chemicals became involved.

These 2 stories show how dangerous and lethal swimming pool chemicals can be. So, how can you protect your family from these chemicals.

Here are a few tips to help you stay safe when using and storing pool chemicals:

• Never smoke when using pool chemicals.
• Never mix chemicals.
• Wear protective glasses when handling pool chemicals.
• Store the chemicals in a cool, dry space and out of direct sunlight.
• Make sure the chemicals are out of the reach of pets and children.
• Never store the chemicals above an adults head height.
• Always store liquid chemicals below powder chemicals.
• After handling pool chemicals, always wash your hands.

Those were just a few tips on how you can help to protect yourself and your family from the dangers of swimming pool chemicals.

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My family and I love swimming. Swimming is a great way to get an all over body work out and relax at the same time.

Although we like to visit our local, open air pool, we can only do so in th summer months when it is open. During the winter months we need to travel into the city to take a dip in the busy municipal pool. Some lucky friends, who live nearby, recently invested in a pool of their own and we’ve been inspired to do the same.

They chose an elliptical Doughboy pool for their back garden. I’d never heard of Doughboy before (except the Pillsbury Doughboy) but I have to say I’m mightily impressed by their swimming pools. Doughboy have been in the pool business since 1945 and they have really perfected the quality of their versatile and affordable swimming pools.

Doughboy pools are the most popular form of steel and resin swimming pool available in the UK today. They are tough, durable and affordable. Our neighbours told us that it had taken them less than a weekend to get their pool erected.  They included a heat pump pool heating system which makes the water so comfortable that the children never want to get out.

The Doughboy pools have a number of really neat feature like the facility to expand the depth so that, as the children grow, you can increase the depth of the water up to a maximum of 7 feet. They come with a top quality pool liner, a sand filter, power pump and even a skimmer. All you really need to add is a heater, if you don’t like swimming in cool water.

It’s easy to see why the Doughboy pool is the UKs most popular form of above ground pool. That’s it, I’ve convinced myself. I think I shall contact the suppliers and order one for our back garden then brace myself for the hoard of children who will, no doubt, descend on our house.

Technorati Tags: above ground pools, swimming, swimming pools

If you have been lucky in life and been able to buy your own swimming pool, spa or hot tub. You will know the importance of having a filtration system within your pool.

Due to the importance of having a filter in your pool. You should always ensure that it is working, if your filtration system stops working without you knowing, your pool could soon become dangerous to use and maybe even deadly.

The first sign that your filter system has stopped working is that dirt will begin to collect at the bottom of the pool, this is simply because the pool is not being cleaned by the filter system, maybe not dangerous or life threatening, but certainly not pleasant to swim in.

The biggest reason why your filter system should always stay active is to circulate the swimming pool chemicals, such as chlorine. If your filtration system stops working, the chlorine, used to kill bacteria, within your pool can stop circulating, this means that chlorine can collect in the pool, making it cloudy to view. However, cloudy water wouldn't be your only worry, because the amount of chlorine has risen, it becomes very dangerous and potentially deadly.

Because chlorine is designed to kill bacteria, if it's in high concentration, it can become poisonous and can damage your skin.

So, as you have seen, keeping your pool filter working can be life saving, however, if you have a pool filter or are going to get one, make sure that you have a drain cover on the filter. If you don't then this too can become a hazard. If a person gets sucked into the filter, it can seriously injure or even tear someone apart due to the force of the filter.

These are just a few tips that you should follow for maintaining your swimming pool and keeping it safe to use.

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