Safety
5 Smart Pool Safety Features That Add Value To An Inground Pool
Unquestionably, there are certain safety features that add value to any inground pool. For pool buyers who are considering which features to add to their list when shopping for a pool, we’re happy to help get you started. In 2022, there will be a big emphasis on incorporating new technology.
There are more than a few smart safety features that will make your pool and spa a thoroughly more enjoyable experience while at the same time giving you peace of mind. Today, we’re going to discuss the 5 smartest pool safety features you can add to your pool that really add a lot of value.
#1 – Pool Safety Fence
Adding a fence around your pool can help you feel more secure. Installing a pool fence in your backyard might help keep your pool area private from neighbors. People who are self-conscious in their swimsuits or who simply don’t enjoy the idea of their neighbors being able to see them when they are in the water may find this helpful.
If you install a safety fence around your pool, you can have the added reassurance that the pool area in your backyard will be inaccessible without your permission. These added precautions are especially crucial if you have small children or pets that could easily fall into the swimming pool. Aside from being a useful safety feature, it is becoming mandatory throughout most regions of the country to install a pool safety fence.
According to your insurance policy, you may be eligible for a discount if you install a pool fence and may actually be required by your insurance company in some cases. Typically, a bolted gate is required for a pool fence to qualify.
Homeowners can choose from a wide range of fencing alternatives, including wrought iron bars, wood or vinyl panels, and mesh pool fences that are both durable, tough to climb, and semi-transparent, allowing you to have an unobstructed view of your pool while protecting your family.
#2 – Smart Fence & Pool Alarms
Another added level of safety and security is adding a smart pool alarm. Today’s pool monitoring systems are technologically sophisticated and act as a virtual water watcher that continuously scan the pool area for unauthorized entry as well as detect distress in early stages.
One of the best methods of securing the pool area these days incorporates the usage of smart IoT and AI. Folks are becoming increasingly used to using technology like Alexa and Siri, and forward-thinking homeowners are looking for similar devices that will keep their pool & spa secure.
Sai Reddy, Founder/CEO of CamerEye, one of the leading smart pool alarm monitoring systems based on Artificial Intelligence (AI); says “The need for a smarter pool fence is obvious. Quite often, homeowners have no idea when small children or pets are in the pool area.”
This statement holds true with the findings of a recent study conducted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) which analyzed drownings in Arizona, California, and Florida among children under the age of four. Nearly 70 percent of the children were located in the pool despite the fact that they were not expected to be there. Of the incidents analyzed, 46 percent had last been seen inside the home.
“The ability to draw an invisible boundary line around the pool area, and have instant notification when a loved one is in distress is a water safety game-changer that will help mitigate these types of tragedies from occurring,” said Reddy.
Camereye- Proximity Alert System
#3 – Pool Safety Covers
Inground pool safety covers can be fixed to the deck so that they can be put on and removed with ease. Rainwater may safely drain through the cover’s dense mesh fabric, while leaves and other debris are kept dry and simply blown away. In addition, they look great around the pool, and can easily last for over a decade. The value proposition of adding a safety cover pays for itself the very first year.
Drowning is the second most common cause of death in children 1 to 4 years old, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Residential swimming pools account for the vast majority of these instances. A lack of installing a barrier to prevent unsupervised entry to the pool is one of the major contributing factors. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “most small children who drowned in pools were last seen in the home, had been out of sight less than five minutes, and were in the care of one or both parents at home.”
When there is no adult supervision, a pool safety cover is an effective tool for keeping children out of the water. Safety covers are composed of a heavy-duty mesh or vinyl and cover the entire pool. Some covers can support the weight of a small SUV.
#4 – Safety Ledges
Pool safety ledges are popular in homes with young children or inexperienced swimmers. A safety ledge is typically an 8-inch-wide region which extends from the shallow end all the way around to the deep end.
A conventional swimming pools deep end typically has only one ladder. If someone is swimming on the opposite side of the deep end and and gets tired or is in distress, a pool safety ledge provides them a place to stand while safely catching their breath. If they need to, they can use the ledge to shimmy back to the shallow end.
#5 – Pool Lighting
Aside from being a wonderful way to extend your pool usage into the evening, pool lighting saves lives. One of the easiest ways to make your swimming pool safer is to make sure that you have effective lighting in your pool and spa. Lighting is sometimes overlooked when discussing safety-related products, yet it’s an important part of the mix.
Providing swimmers the ability to see where they’re going and how far they can swim or dive before they hit the walls and floor is essential. Being able to easily see into the pool to determine when a swimmer is in distress is an absolute must.
Safety
‘NY SWIMS’ Program Aimed At Expanding Access To Curb Record Drowning Rates
In a groundbreaking move, Governor Kathy Hochul of New York has introduced the “NY SWIMS” initiative, aiming to enhance water safety across the state. The $60 million grant program is set to establish 10 new pools in underserved communities, with an additional $30 million allocated for pop-up pools during heat waves. This summer, the number of pools and beaches providing water safety instruction programs is expected to more than double, increasing from seven to 17.
One notable highlight of the initiative is the fast-tracking of a floating, self-filtering pool in New York City’s waterways. Initially proposed over a decade ago, the $16 million project, with $12 million from the state and $4 million from the city, will see the 9,000-square-foot +Pool become a reality. Shaped like a plus sign with an Olympic-sized setup, the pool will undergo testing this summer, likely in a location connected to the riverbed off Manhattan’s Lower East Side, anticipating a public opening next summer.
Governor Hochul also pledged to bolster lifeguard numbers statewide. Concerns arose at the start of the previous summer when New York City had only about one-third of the required 1,400 lifeguards to ensure swimmers’ safety.
The comprehensive plan was unveiled at a press conference on January 5, with Governor Hochul joined by New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Describing it as “the largest statewide investment in swimming since the New Deal,” the initiative is a response to alarming drowning rates in New York. The most recent data from 2021 revealed 230 deaths, prompting urgent action.
Mayor Adams emphasized the significance of the initiative, pointing out that drowning has become a leading cause of death, particularly among children aged 1 to 14. With New York City surrounded by water, Adams stressed the importance of teaching young people to swim. He highlighted the stark disparities, citing a 2017 survey indicating that one in three Black students cannot swim compared to one in 10 white counterparts.
Adams passionately shared his personal experience, recounting a lack of swimming facilities in his community, where a water hose and the hope for a turned-on fire hydrant served as makeshift pools. He drew attention to the stark contrast, likening Coney Island to the Hamptons for his community and Riis Beach to Martha’s Vineyard.
The “NY SWIMS” initiative builds on previous efforts, including legislation from September that provided free swimming lessons for second graders in the city. This transformative initiative aims not only to create new aquatic spaces but also to change mindsets and address historical inequalities in access to swimming resources.
Read the perspective of 13-year-old East Harlem resident Lucas Rosado as he shares his testimonial on the personal significance of the “NY SWIMS” initiative:
I’m Lucas Rosado, a 13-year-old Latino from East Harlem. Some of my earliest memories are swimming here at the Children’s Aid Milbank Center. I started swimming when I was five and became competitive when I was seven. And one of my favorite things to do is race at swim meets. I always have fun competing, making new friends and improving with my team.
During the pandemic, that all came to a stop. In that long period when I couldn’t swim, I realized just how important swimming is. It’s a valuable skill that teaches values like community, sportsmanship, hard work, discipline and perseverance In Latino and Black communities like mine, I think expanding swim programs would be amazing.
In these communities, a reduction in obesity and drowning rates is greatly needed, and providing young people access to pools and lessons will help them experience the numerous physical, mental and social benefits that swimming has to offer. Programs that increase pool access and swimming education like the Children’s Aid are great for building strong and healthy communities.
Swimming is also a social sport that allows you to meet new people and learn valuable skills like sportsmanship and teamwork. People who started as toddlers just learning how to swim eventually grow up to be coaches as adults all while maintaining lifelong friendships.
That comfort, shared by all ages and backgrounds here at the pool, is something more people need to experience, and I’m confident that Governor Hochul’s announcement will help achieve that for all communities. I hope everyone in New York can get a swimming pool near them and learn to love being in the water just like I do.
Safety
Florida Legislators Propose Swim Lesson Vouchers For Low-Income Families
In response to the alarming statistics revealing that drowning is the leading cause of death among children aged four or younger in Florida, two dedicated legislators, Sen. Travis Hutson and Rep. Demi Busatta Cabrera, have introduced a swim lesson vouchers system. Since 2020, a staggering 256 children in this age group have tragically lost their lives to drowning in the Sunshine State. The proposed legislation, SB 544/581, is designed to create a voucher system within the Department of Health, offering swimming lessons to low-income families with young children.
Swim Lesson Vouchers – Key Legislation Components
Targeted Assistance: The legislation specifically targets families with one or more children aged four and under, whose income falls within 200% of the federal poverty level. By focusing on this demographic, the program aims to address the disproportionate impact of drowning incidents in lower-income households.
Department of Health Oversight: The Department of Health would play a central role in administering the program, contracting with a network of swimming lesson vendors to facilitate the distribution of vouchers. This ensures a coordinated effort to reach families in need and connect them with reputable swim education providers.
Geared Towards Prevention: Sen. Hutson emphasizes a shift in focus from physical pool safety measures to proactive prevention through swimming lessons. By imparting essential swimming skills to high-risk children, the program aims to significantly reduce the incidence of drowning, ultimately saving lives.
No Appropriation, Diverse Funding Sources: The proposed legislation, slated to take effect on July 1, 2024, does not include a specific appropriation. However, it opens the door for funding from multiple sources, indicating that vouchers could be paid for by the state or through private and public grants. This versatile funding approach enhances the sustainability and scalability of the program.
Addressing Florida’s Pool Landscape
Florida boasts more than 1.5 million residential pools, making it a state with one pool for approximately every 14 residents. Acknowledging this reality, the legislators recognize the need for a comprehensive approach to water safety beyond physical pool barriers. The voucher program aims to bridge the gap by directly equipping children with the ability to swim, a life skill crucial for their safety in a state with such abundant water resources.
“There is nothing more important to parents than the health and well-being of their children, that’s why we’ve taken a giant step towards providing greater access to swimming lessons for young children in Florida. This common sense, but significant bill aims to eliminate youth drowning deaths in Florida and ensure every child is equipped with the ability to swim in our state.”
Rep. Demi Busatta Cabrera
Sen. Travis Hutson and Rep. Demi Busatta Cabrera’s proposed voucher program represents a proactive and targeted response to a critical issue affecting Florida’s youngest residents. With child drowning incidents reaching alarming numbers, the legislation offers a tangible solution by making swim education accessible to families facing economic challenges.
“In the past, we’ve focused on how to physically make pools safer, but this bill is going to save lives by actually teaching high-risk kids how to swim,”
Sen. Travis Hutson
By prioritizing prevention over remediation and leveraging diverse funding sources, this initiative holds the potential to save lives and ensure that every child in Florida has the opportunity to learn the essential skill of swimming. The proposed legislation aims for a safer and more inclusive future for the Sunshine State’s children.
News
Buy a Pool Plate – Save a Life!
This holiday season, you can help decrease Florida’s drowning rates by taking action towards providing swimming lessons for children around the state.
By pre-ordering just one of the Florida Swims Foundation’s “Swim For Life” specialty license plates, you will create a domino effect of positive action that directly impacts Florida’s children and overall water safety.
The numbers that define Florida’s drowning statistics are serious. Did you know that:
- Drowning is the #1 cause of death for Florida children ages 1-4 (per CDC)
- Florida ranked #1 in the U.S. for unintentional drowning death rate for children ages 1-4 years from 2018-2020 combined (per FloridaHealth.gov)
- Each year, there are enough children under age 5 lost to drowning to fill 3-4 Florida classrooms (per Florida Health Charts)
But there is more data that is poised to redefine Florida’s current drowning statistics. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), swimming lessons are proven to reduce the risk of drowning by a whopping 88%.
The Florida Swims Foundation created the “Swim For Life” specialty license plate as a tangible, impactful way to reduce that drowning risk even further. Each plate provides a child with a swimming lesson in their community. Through a partnership with Every Child A Swimmer, the Foundation has provided hundreds of Florida swim schools and thousands of students with life-changing lessons in water safety to date. Now, it is time for that impact to be expanded even further. It is time for all of Florida’s children to have access to swimming lessons.
When it comes down to it, the math is simple:
- 1 license plate = 1 child receiving a swim lesson
- 1 license plate = 1 child’s life saved from drowning
- 1 license plate = 1 less drowning death in our own backyard
YOU can have this impact by purchasing the Florida Swims Foundation’s “Swim For Life” specialty license plate.
Pre-order today and learn more at SwimForLifeFlorida.com.
-
Pool Builder4 weeks ago
Educating Customers About The Dark Side of the Pool Industry
-
Pools3 weeks ago
This Pool Was Designed Specifically For a Lamborghini
-
Pool Builder4 weeks ago
Building Pools With Maintenance in Mind
-
Pool News4 weeks ago
Brad Holley’s Miami Vice-Inspired Design Wins Million Dollar Pool Challenge
-
Products3 weeks ago
Beatbot AquaSense Pro Pool Cleaner Review
-
Pool Service4 weeks ago
The Great Pool Debate
-
News3 weeks ago
Innovative Programs and Activations Announced for Coverings 2024
-
Pool Service3 weeks ago
Orenda (a HASA Company) and Skimmer to Revolutionize Pool Maintenance with New Partnership