News
This Year National Pool Opening Day is April 29th
Learn more about National Pool Opening Day

Summer is just around the corner, and for many homeowners, that means one thing: it’s time to open up the swimming pool! National Pool Opening Day, celebrated on the last Saturday of April each year, is a day to mark the beginning of the pool season and get your pool ready for months of fun in the sun. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at National Pool Opening Day, what it entails, and what homeowners need to do to ensure that they have a terrific summer enjoying their swimming pools.
What is National Pool Opening Day?
National Pool Opening Day was established by Leslie’s Swimming Pool Supplies in 2016 as a way to celebrate the joy of that first refreshing dip in the pool after a long winter and to promote the importance of maintaining safe and clean pools.
When Is National Pool Opening Day?
National Pool Opening Day is an annual event that takes place on the last Saturday of April, which falls on April 29th this year. It is a day dedicated to helping homeowners prepare their swimming pools for the summer season, ensuring that they are safe, clean, and ready for use. This day is an excellent opportunity for pool owners to perform necessary maintenance tasks and get their pools in top shape for the upcoming months of swimming, lounging, and entertaining.
Swimming pools have always been one of the more popular ways to relax, exercise, and have fun in a private setting. Before you open your pool for the summer take the necessary steps to ensure that your swimming pool is ready for use and meets the highest safety and hygiene standards.
10 Tips For Opening Your Swimming Pool
Preparing your pool for National Pool Opening Day involves several essential steps to ensure that it is safe, clean, and ready for use. Here are some key tasks that homeowners need to do to get their pools in top shape for the summer:
- Remove Debris: Before you start any maintenance tasks, it’s essential to remove any debris from your pool. This includes leaves, sticks, dirt, and other debris that may have accumulated over the winter months. Use a pool skimmer or a pool net to remove debris from the surface of the water and clean out the skimmer baskets and pump strainer basket.
- Check Water Chemistry: Proper water chemistry is crucial for maintaining a safe and clean swimming pool. Test the water for pH, chlorine, alkalinity, and calcium hardness levels using a reliable pool testing kit. Adjust the chemical levels as needed to ensure that they fall within the recommended range. Balanced water chemistry will help prevent the growth of algae, bacteria, and other harmful microorganisms, ensuring that your pool water is safe for swimming.
- Clean the Pool Walls and Floor: Use a pool brush or pool vacuum to clean the walls and floor of your pool. This will help remove any dirt, algae, or other contaminants that may have accumulated over the winter months. Pay special attention to areas that are prone to algae growth, such as corners, steps, and around the pool ladder.
- Inspect and Clean Pool Equipment: Check all your pool equipment, including the pump, filter, and heater, for any signs of damage or wear. Clean or replace the pool filter as needed, and check for leaks or other issues with the pool pump and heater. Properly functioning pool equipment is essential for maintaining water clarity and preventing pool problems.
- Check Safety Features: Safety should always be a top priority when it comes to swimming pools. Take the time to inspect and test all safety features of your pool, including the pool fence, gate, pool cover, and pool alarm. Ensure that they are in good condition and functioning correctly. If you don’t have safety features in place, consider installing them to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of swimmers, especially children.
- Plan for Maintenance: Having a maintenance plan in place is essential to keep your pool in top shape throughout the summer season. Create a schedule for regular pool maintenance tasks, such as skimming the pool surface, cleaning the pool walls and floor, checking and adjusting chemical levels, and inspecting and cleaning pool equipment. Follow the maintenance schedule consistently to prevent any issues from arising and to ensure that your pool stays clean and safe for swimming.
- Update Pool Safety Rules: As you prepare your pool for the summer season, it’s also a good time to review and update your pool safety rules. Make sure that all swimmers, especially children, are aware of the safety rules and guidelines for using the pool. Emphasize the importance of never swimming alone, using appropriate flotation devices, and avoiding dangerous behaviors, such as running or diving in shallow areas. Enforce the rules consistently to ensure the safety of all pool users.
- Prepare for Pool Parties: With the summer season comes the possibility of hosting pool parties and gatherings. If you plan to entertain guests in your pool, make sure to plan ahead. Check the pool deck for any hazards, such as slippery surfaces or loose tiles, and repair them if needed. Ensure that you have enough seating, umbrellas, and other amenities for your guests. Review your pool safety rules with your guests and have proper supervision during pool parties to prevent accidents.
- Consider Energy-efficient Upgrades: National Pool Opening Day is also an excellent time to consider making energy-efficient upgrades to your pool. Upgrading to a variable speed pool pump, using a pool cover to reduce evaporation and heat loss, and installing LED lights can all help to save energy and reduce operating costs. These upgrades can also be environmentally friendly and contribute to a more sustainable pool operation.
- Hire a Professional: If you are not confident in your ability to properly open and maintain your pool, or if you simply prefer to have a professional do the job, consider hiring a pool pro. A qualified pool service technician can ensure that your pool is opened and maintained according to industry standards, and can save you time and effort in the process. They can also identify any potential issues and provide solutions before they become bigger problems.
National Pool Opening Day is an important event for homeowners to mark the beginning of the pool season and ensure that their swimming pools are safe, clean, and ready for use. By following the essential steps of removing debris, checking water chemistry, cleaning the pool walls and floor, inspecting and cleaning pool equipment, checking safety features, planning for maintenance, updating pool safety rules, preparing for pool parties, considering energy-efficient upgrades, and hiring a professional if needed, homeowners can ensure that they have a terrific summer enjoying their swimming pools.
Remember, safety should always be a top priority when it comes to swimming pools, so take the time to properly maintain your pool and enforce safety rules to ensure that everyone can enjoy the pool season to the fullest. Happy National Pool Opening Day, and here’s to a splashing summer ahead!
Safety
Making Water Safety a Priority This Pool Season
As a community, let’s make a difference and put water safety as a top priority this entire pool season, not just during Water Safety Month.

As Water Safety Month comes to an end, the importance of education and awareness remains a top priority, especially during the busy summer months. Drowning prevention and water safety efforts are ongoing, requiring the collective efforts of both pool owners as well as professionals to educate and promote proper safety measures. As a community, spreading the message, sharing resources, and working with organizations like the National Drowning Prevention Alliance and the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance can help to ensure a safe and enjoyable water experience for everyone.
The 5 Layers of Protection
Drowning is a leading cause of death for children aged 1-4, and it can occur quickly and silently. To effectively prevent drowning incidents, it is crucial to implement multiple layers of protection. By understanding and embracing the five layers of protection, we can actively prevent tragedies and save lives. Take a few minutes to learn these layers, and together we can create a safer environment:
- Constant Adult Supervision: Never leave children unattended near water.
- Secure Barriers: Install proper fencing and barriers to limit access to pools and other water bodies.
- Water Safety Education: Teach children how to swim and educate them about water safety rules.
- Emergency Preparedness: Learn CPR and basic water rescue techniques.
- Life Jackets: Ensure children wear appropriate life jackets when participating in water activities.
Statistics Highlighting The Urgency of Water Safety
- In the United States, drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children aged 1-4 and the second leading cause for children aged 14 and under.
- The World Health Organization estimates that drowning is one of the top five causes of death for individuals aged 1-14 in 48 out of 85 monitored countries.
- More than half (54%) of children aged 4-17 in the United States are unable to perform basic water safety skills.
- June has the highest number of fatal and non-fatal drowning incidents in the U.S.
- Nearly 80% of drowning victims are male, and African-American children aged 5-19 experience drowning rates 5.5 times higher than Caucasian children.
- Drowning incidents can occur in as little as two minutes, and victims often do not signal for help.
- Participation in formal swimming lessons by children aged 1-4 significantly reduces the risk of drowning.
These important facts highlight the critical need for ongoing education, access to swim lessons, and the implementation of preventative measures. Making water safety a priority during the pool season is crucial for families to protect their loved ones and prevent tragic incidents. Children are particularly vulnerable to drowning, and accidents can occur unexpectedly. By implementing better water safety measures, families empower themselves to respond effectively and ensure the well-being of their loved ones.
Press Releases
PHTA Launches New Jobseeker Website: WorkInAquatics.com

(Alexandria, VA) – The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), the trade association representing the swimming pool, hot tub and spa industry, today announced a major milestone in its workforce development program as it launched its brand new jobseeker website, WorkInAquatics.com and robust job board made exclusively for PHTA member companies, careers.WorkInAquatics.com.
The cornerstone of the program is the consumer website, which serves as the program hub and provides jobseekers with critical information about the industry, including in-demand positions, career tracks, earning potential, personal success stories and more. Members of PHTA are invited to create their very own Employer profiles and post jobs free of charge on the only industry-specific job board on the market.
PHTA leadership first revealed plans for the program, known as the Pool Professionals Pipeline, at its board meeting last November. Alongside its experienced steering committee of industry experts, PHTA developed the program to enhance jobseeker awareness of the aquatics industry and to meet the demands for new talent amid member concerns over the labor shortage and the compounded effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The pool and hot tub industry is awash with potential for growth, but like many other industries today, we are limited due to the shortage of skilled labor and younger generations of workers entering trades such as ours,” said PHTA President and CEO Sabeena Hickman. “The importance of this program cannot be understated – we heard our members’ concerns loud and clear, and we’re proud to finally unveil this next step in our plan to welcome jobseekers to our industry.”
Along with the jobseeker website and job board, the program will be supported by a social media presence on Facebook and LinkedIn, public relations, advertising campaigns and ongoing content development of videos, new resources and other assets. PHTA members can expect additional resources and ways to expand their visibility among today’s active jobseekers.
The work for PHTA and the industry is just beginning. “To truly make a splash, we must prioritize investing in recruiting and training a new pool of candidates to join our industry,” said Hickman. “Having a visible presence and voice out there advocating for our industry is vital for our continued growth and success. PHTA is committed to supporting this jobseeker awareness campaign for the long-term – and ultimately, to driving engaged and qualified candidates to our members to find their new careers.”
To learn more about PHTA’s program and access exclusive resources and opportunities, visit phta.org/workforce or contact [email protected].
Press Releases
PHTA Standards Consensus Committee Appoints New Members

The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) Standards Consensus Committee (SCC) is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Vice Chair and four new Voting Members. The SCC is PHTA’s official consensus voting body, responsible for reviewing and voting on all pool, spa, and hot tub standards to be approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Members of the SCC are classified into one of four interest categories: Producer, User-Government, User-Consumer, or General Interest.
The new SCC Vice Chair is Bruce Carney, owner of American Pools & Spas in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. He is a member in the Producer interest category. Carney has worked in the pool industry since 1970 in various capacities, including construction, design, renovation, facility evaluation, and maintenance. He was very involved with both the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals and the National Swimming Pool Foundation before they merged into PHTA, and has also been both a trainer and a presenter for the American Red Cross.
The SCC’s four new Voting Members are:
- Kevin Baugh, User-Government
Baugh is an Environmental Health Specialist III for the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment in Olathe, KS. He earned a Master of Environment Policy and Management and a Bachelor of Environmental Science from American Public University Systems. Baugh holds several professional certifications, including Certified Pool & Spa Operator and Certified Environmental Scientist. - Megan Ferraro, User-Consumer
Ferraro is Executive Director of The ZAC Foundation in Malvern, PA. She earned a B.A. in Political Science from Villanova University. Ferraro has been an advocate for water safety for over 10 years and serves as Co-Chair for both the CA Water Safety Coalition Board and the National Drowning Prevention Alliance Advisory Committee. - Alan Korn, User-Consumer
Korn is Executive Director and General Counsel of Abbey’s Hope Charitable Foundation in Washington, DC. He earned his JD from Washington University Law School and his BS from Indiana University. He has worked in the water safety and product safety community for over 25 years, including the original development and further revisions of the Virginia Graeme Baker Act. - Lexi Schmidt, User-Consumer
Schmidt is a Senior Mechanical Engineer at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, FL. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Professional Engineer License for the state of Florida. At Walt Disney World, she has spent nearly 10 years working on commercial pool systems and consulting on new build designs.
“I’d like to congratulate Bruce and welcome the new members of the Standards Consensus Committee,” says SCC Chair Kris Bridges, MCP, CBO, CZA, Building Official/Zoning Administrator for the City of Martinsville, VA. “I know our new members will bring a significant breadth of knowledge from the areas of pool compliance, advocacy, construction, and operation. The SCC performs an important step in the process of Standards Development and it’s wonderful to have these talented professionals on board.”
PHTA is the leading industry organization recognized by ANSI to develop and promote national consensus standards for residential and public swimming pools, hot tubs, and spas. In 2023, PHTA is proudly celebrating 40 years of being an ANSI Accredited Standards Developer.
For more information, please visit the Standards Consensus Committee webpage on the PHTA website or contact [email protected].
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