While maintaining optimal water chemistry and clarity is a priority of pool ownership, your main priority – and responsibility – is to ensure pool safety.

The two most important words to a pool owner are…safety first.

There are many ways to make your pool safer.

Supervision

The most valuable safety consideration is supervision. As the pool owner you are also the main supervisor. You must ensure a safe swimming environment for all swimmers and guests. And you must ensure that all “pool rules” are clearly communicated, understood, and acknowledged by all swimmers. Of course, it is just as imperative to enforce these pool rules as it is to communicate them. Teach other adults to help you supervise to ensure safety in and around the pool.

Life Hook

Safety equipment is as important as any of the other pool equipment, supplies, and chemicals that you use. And it will be of the utmost importance if it is ever needed.

As a pool owner, you should definitely own a life hook as your primary piece of pool safety equipment. A life hook is a sturdy one-piece telepole with a safety hook that is securely attached with stainless steel hardware. The safety hook will allow you to secure a troubled swimmer. The telepole will allow you to pull that troubled swimmer to safety.

The life hook should always be kept in the same place in the pool area so that everybody knows its exact storage location.

Inspect and Test the Life Hook

The life hook should be inspected. Check the hardware at least twice each month during the pool season. You want to make sure it is tightly secure if it is ever needed. If the hardware is loose, then tighten it. And if there are any issues during the inspection, then replace what is compromised, even it that requires buying a brand new complete life hook.

The life hook should also be tested. Perform a safety drill at least once a month during the pool season. You want to make it is in good working condition if it is ever needed. With the telepole in hand, wrap the curved safety hook around the chest of someone who will mimic a troubled swimmer. Then pull them to safety with the telepole. If the hardware is loose, then tighten it. And if there are any issues during the inspection, then replace what is compromised, even it that requires buying a brand new complete life hook.

Hopefully, this life hook is just backyard décor and it is never needed. But, it does offer peace of mind knowing it is there – and it is in good working condition – if it is ever needed.

Poolside First-Aid Kit

A poolside first-aid kit should be well-stocked and kept in the same place so that everybody knows its exact storage location. It does not have to be an officially licensed first-aid kit that is endorsed for swimming pool use. It just has to be a first-aid kit. You can even keep first-aid supplies in any type of tool box or tote. About once a month, take an inventory of the first-aid kit and re-stock it if needed. If items have been used, replace them. If items have expired, replace them. And if you see something that you don’t have and think it would be a welcome addition to your first-aid kit, then get the item(s).

Pool Safety Specialists

Please visit the Red Cross as well as Pool Safely for great information, advice and tips about making your pool a safe pool.

Do you want to make your pool a safe pool?

Call us at 402-341-8132 or send us an email to [email protected] or submit a short form to discuss your pool and schedule free onsite consultation.

Or for the quickest response, you can call or text 402-250-8100 (Mike Loftus, owner).