The more specialized tools that are used to clean swimming pools include leaf skimmers, leaf rakes, brushes, corner brushes, pool sweeps, grids and cartridges for the filter, motors and pumps, pool filters, and many more. Most of these accessories are important, especially for those who have trees around their pool. Leafs in the water can be very annoying and distracting, and should be removed on a frequent basis.

The biggest aspect to keeping your pool nice and clean is to make sure that the care of your water is always up-to-date. There are lots of water care products that you can buy, including balancing chemicals, sanitizes, chemicals to treat algae, stain treatment products, water testing kits, and saltwater systems. Normally, chlorine is used as a sanitizer, as it helps to get rid of and prevent any organic material that exists in the water.

By using chlorine in your pool, you’ll help reduce the load that organic material puts on the filter. The regular maintenance of your pH balance and the right levels of alkalinity are also essential to keeping your pool clean. You should also make sure that you check your calcium as well. The pump that you apply is also important, as it may prevent the waste of energy. To make things easier on yourself, you will get an automatic pool cleaner

 which will do almost everything for you.

To have the correct amount of chlorine feed, you’ll want to use hand feeding or tablet feeding. This will make sure you get the right level of chlorine in the water. Chlorine is also important for protecting skin, although you should attempt not to swallow water that has chlorine in it. There are saltwater chlorine generators out there also, which are the most popular ways to get the proper amount of chlorine in your water.

As long you use the proper cleaning supplies and products in your pool, you’ll be able to enjoy fresh and clean water whenever you decide to go swimming. Keeping your water clean is also healthy for the skin, and someone else who gets in your pool. You must ensure that you’ve cleaning supplies on hand, and check your water on a frequent basis. You may get a pool testing kit for a bit of nothing – which will more than pay for itself when you will decide to test your water.

 The more specialized tools that are used to clean swimming pools include leaf skimmers, leaf rakes, brushes, corner brushes, pool sweeps, grids and cartridges for the filter, motors and pumps, pool filters, and many more. Most of these accessories are important, especially for those who have trees around their pool. Leafs in the water can be very annoying and distracting, and should be removed on a frequent basis.

 The biggest aspect to keeping your pool nice and clean is to make sure that the care of your water is always up-to-date. There are lots of water care products that you can buy, including balancing chemicals, sanitizes, chemicals to treat algae, stain treatment products, water testing kits, and saltwater systems. Normally, chlorine is used as a sanitizer, as it helps to get rid of and prevent any organic material that exists in the water.

 By using chlorine in your pool, you’ll reduce the load that organic material puts on the filter. The regular maintenance of your pH balance and the right levels of alkalinity are also very important to keeping your pool clean. You should also make sure that you check your calcium as well. The pump that you apply is also important, as it may prevent the waste of energy. To make things easier on yourself, you will get an automatic pool cleaner that will do just about everything for you.

 To have the proper amount of chlorine feed, you’ll want to use hand feeding or tablet feeding. It will ensure that you get the right level of chlorine in the water. Chlorine is also very important to protecting skin, although you should try not to swallow water that has chlorine in it. You can find saltwater chlorine generators out there also, that are the most popular methods for getting the right amount of chlorine in your water.

 As long you use the proper cleaning supplies and products in your pool, you’ll be able to enjoy fresh and clean water whenever you may go swimming. Keeping your water clean is also healthy for your skin, and someone else who gets inside your pool. You should ensure that you have cleaning supplies on hand, and check your water on a frequent basis. You can aquire a pool testing kit for a little of nothing – which will more than pay for itself when you will decide to check your water.

At the end of the official Grown Ups trailer, Adam Sandler, David Spade, Chris Rock, Rob Schneider, and Kevin James are seen wallowing in a swimming pool at a water park. James’s daughter approaches and asks, “Dad, are you making a sissy? You know they have a chemical in the pool that turns urine blue.” James responds, laughingly, “No, no, no, that’s an old wives’ tale, sweetie.” After which, of course, the camera zooms back, the child screams, and we see that all five men are surrounded by dark clouds of “sissy.” End joke.

 But wait — the chemical that turns urine blue actually is an old wives’ tale, isn’t it? Vulture, a blog that has only ever swum politely in pools, investigates.

 An e-mail to “the Poolman” of Poolinfo (“the most useful source of swimming pool information online”) was met with a definitive answer:

 You are speaking of a product that is an urban legend. There is no such product available.

 Case closed! (Although there is a product “to color the water in your pool for a short period of time,” although, alas, it is merely “for decor.”) So, everyone can now continue contaminating swimming pools without lingering fear of exposure by chemical detection. You are, however, disgusting and terrible people.

As part 2 of our pool safety series, I want to inform you of the importance of installing a fence around your pool.  While it doesn’t replace proper adult supervision at all times, a fence will assist in keeping your children away from the pool.  Ideally, your fence should be at least four feet tall, if not five.  In addition, the fence should be unclimbable by any small children.  For the gate on the fence, the handle should be out of reach for small children with a securely latching knob release.  It goes without saying but the fence should extend completely around the pool.  If a wall of your home makes up part of the fence, make sure that the door leading out to the pool is equipped with an alarm that will sound if a child exits the home.

As a personal injury lawyer in Seattle, I just want to remind you again that regardless of whether you have a fence or not, you should still supervise your children at all times.

Swimming Pool Safety Step 2: Pool & Spa Covers

As part three of our series on pool safety for children, I would like to highlight the importance of pool and spa covers.  By utilizing a cover over the pool, it sends a message that the pool is not open for swimming at this time.  The cover should meet safety standards and should be strong enough to hold a child should they fall on top of the cover.  Regardless, you will need to teach your child that the cover is not a toy and they should stay away from it.

If you have a hot tub, always keep it covered when its not in use.  In addition, equip the cover with locks that you can secure it with.  Even if you use your pool daily, you can purchase an automatic cover that will slide across in a matter of just a minute or two.  If you own an above-ground pool, remove the ladder when it’s not in use.  Children love to climb ladders and could easily fall into the pool if it’s in place.  As a Seattle personal injury lawyer, I would like to remind you again that nothing replaces the need for full-time adult supervision when your children play in or around a swimming pool.

 By Seattle Personal Injury Lawyer

The various steps that are involved in swimming pool leak detection:

Step 1 – Find the leak

You could do this by just using duct tape. To do the swimming pool leak detection, simply fill up your swimming pool back to its usual level and mark it with the duct tape. Leave your pool filters operational and try to wait for about 12 to 24 hours. Measure the loss after the given time. Now, refill the pool back to its normal level and this time with the filter system turned off. Wait again for about twelve to twenty four hours. After the given time you calculate the water loss once more. By doing this, you would be able to find if there is an actual pool leak.

Step 2 – Resolve the issue after finding the leak

Now, if you have noticed that you’re losing water while the filter system is up and running, then your chief problem is on your pool’s pressure side of plumbing. The pump used or the impeller of the pump might be one of the reasons of losing the water. But then again, if you notice that you lose more water with the filter system off, then there has to be a leak on the vacuum side of your pool’s plumbing. It might be located someplace before your pump’s impeller. Though, if you have the same quantity of water loss, then the actual leak is not from your plumbing but from your pool’s structure.

Step 3 – Find recognized leak detectives

Yes, you cannot fix it all, and you surely can’t fix your swimming pool. Now, there are plenty of trusted and known leak detectives from almost every region or location these days. Wherever there are recognized pool owners, leak detectives can be easily reached in as easy as One…Two…Three. Let them deal with the work for you, as they know what is best for your pool. You can even go online and easily find a lot of them waiting for your call.

So stop wasting cash now, act instantly by following the tips in swimming pool leak detection now.

“Leak Detectives” is an established company in Greater Sacramento areas. They utilise the most modern techniques of swimming pool leak detection and pool leak repair, saving the substantial cost of draining and refilling an in-ground swimming pool. To find out a lot more head to, www.leakdetectives.biz

Safety Tips:

• Keep your eyes on the kids at all times. It only takes a second for an accident to happen.
• When you walk into an unfamiliar pool, make special note of the rescue devices, including pole, life preserver and rope.
• Tell less experienced swimmers to stay in the shallower end of the pool, not letting the water rise above chest level.
• Try to avoid hot tubs and spas, as they are danger zones for children who can overheat easily.
• Don’t let the children eat or chew gum while they’re swimming — they can choke.
• Don’t allow children to stick their fingers or toes into any grates, drains, filters or other suction devices.
• If you get a phone call while you’re watching the kids swim, only answer if you must and keep it very brief so you don’t get distracted.
• If you have to leave the pool area (to run to the restroom, for example), make sure they kids get out of and stay out of the water.
• Keep a print-out of CPR instructions and emergency numbers with you when you’re at the pool.
• If you’re babysitting for a family with a pool, take all of the pool toys out of the water when the kids are done swimming. Toys attract attention, and kids don’t always stop to think before reaching for something.
• If the pool is fenced in or gated, don’t leave furniture or other objects close to the fence that would enable the kids to climb over the barrier.

Emergency Procedures:

• If you notice a child missing, check the pool first. Seconds count in these situations!
• Immediately alert the lifeguard so he can use his training during a rescue. If there’s no lifeguard around, get the child out of the pool yourself.
• Make sure your cell phone is near you at all times in case you need to grab it in a hurry.
• Refresh your memory on CPR – and take a class if you haven’t already. 

According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 out of 8 pools had to be closed immediately after being inspected due to serious code violations.

(Getty Images)

The report, published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report this week, analyzed data from more than 121,000 routine pool inspections in 13 states in 2008. More than 12 percent of the inspections found serious violations that caused the pools to close immediately.

Why Is It Important to Be Safe in the Water?

Fish are able to live and breathe under water, but people need air to breathe. People drown when too much water gets into their lungs. When that happens, the lungs can’t carry enough oxygen to the brain and the rest of the body.

Drowning is the second most common cause of death from injuries among kids under the age of 14. Drowning can happen so fast — sometimes in less than 2 minutes after a person’s head goes under the water. That leaves very little time for someone to help.

Many drownings and near-drownings occur when a kid accidentally falls into a swimming pool. But accidents can happen anywhere — at someone’s home or even at your own house, and that’s why you need to know how to be safe around water.

Swimming Pools

Pools are awesome! What could be better than a dip in the pool and fun in the sun? But remember a pool’s sides and bottom are usually made of concrete, a rock-hard material. A slip or fall could be painful and dangerous.

Have you seen those big numbers painted on the side of the pool? Those are called depth markers — they tell you how deep the water is at that point. You should always look before you jump into a pool. You should also only dive off the diving board. Never dive off the side of the pool unless an adult says that the water is deep enough. The water may be shallower than you think. If you hit the bottom . . . ouch! You might get knocked out or you could hurt your neck very badly.

Test the pool’s water temperature before you plunge in. Cold water can shock your body and make your blood pressure and heart rate go up. You might accidentally open your mouth to yell and accidentally breathe in some water. Cold water can also slow your muscles, making it hard to swim.

Here’s some other good advice for the pool:

       Always have an adult watch you when you are in the pool — even in your own backyard. Never go in the pool if there is no adult around.

       Gates are around pools for a reason — to keep kids away from the water when there isn’t a lifeguard or adult around to watch them. Never go through any pool gates when they are closed. Stay safe and stay out!

       Always obey pool rules.

       Swim with a buddy.

       If you’re learning to swim, ask your mom or dad to make sure your flotation devices are Coast Guard approved.

       Walk slowly in the pool area. Don’t run.

       Swim at a depth that is safe for you. If you’re just learning to swim, stay in the shallow end.

       Don’t push or jump on others. You could accidentally hurt someone or yourself.

       Toys to help you float come in many shapes and sizes (an inner tube, air mattress, or beach ball, for example). Although they are fun and can help you while you learn to swim, what they can’t do is save a life. They’re toys that can lose air or float away.

       Don’t chew gum or eat while you swim — you could choke.

       Lakes and Ponds

       Lots of kids swim in streams, lakes, or ponds. Extra care must be taken when swimming in these beautiful places. You can’t always see the bottom of the lake or pond, so you don’t always know the depth of the water. This is an additional reason to always swim with an adult.

       Although the fish swimming around won’t hurt you, some ponds and lakes may hide jagged rocks, broken bottles, or trash. Wear something to protect your feet. Also, watch out for weeds and grass, which can trap even a good swimmer. If you panic and try to yank yourself free, you may get even more tangled. Instead, shake and pull your arms and legs slowly to work yourself loose or call for an adult’s help.

       If you’re going out on a boat, always wear a life jacket. (Again, the life jacket should be Coast Guard approved.) Even if you are a good swimmer, something could cause the boat to tip over and you could be trapped underneath.

Beaches

It’s hard to resist a day on the beach, but you’ll need to know some safety rules when you’re swimming in the ocean. When you first get to the beach, check with the lifeguard to find out how strong the waves are. Some places fly flags or write notes on a chalkboard to give swimmers an idea of what conditions are like.

In some places swimmers may encounter strong undertows or ocean currents. Rip currents (also called riptides) are so strong that they can carry swimmers away from shore before they know what’s happening. If you are caught in a current, swim parallel to the shore (alongside the shore) rather than to the shore until the water stops pulling you, then swim back to shore. If you can’t get back to the beach, tread water and wave for a lifeguard’s help.

You probably won’t see any sharks (although a friendly dolphin may splash by) where you are swimming. But you might run into some jellyfish or Portuguese man-of-wars. These umbrella-shaped, nearly clear animals can grow to be as large as several feet in diameter! They are often found floating near the shore. Getting stung is no fun — it can hurt and blister your skin. If you get stung, tell an adult as soon as possible.

Here’s some other good advice for the beach:

       Never swim alone!

       Always swim where a lifeguard can see you and in areas that are marked for swimmers to use.

       Wear protective footwear if surfaces are rough or rocky.

       Don’t swim out too far.

       Never pretend to be drowning. The lifeguard may take you seriously.

       Don’t swim close to piers — those big, wooden structures that jut out into the water. If the water moves suddenly, you could hit a piling or a rock.

       Store drinks in plastic containers at the beach — broken glass bottles and bare feet don’t mix.

       Face the waves, instead of turning your back on them. Then you’ll know what’s coming.

Water Parks

Kids love water parks — and why shouldn’t they? Wave pools, giant slides, and squirting fountains are a lot of fun. To stay safe, find out what each attraction is like before jumping in. Some wave pools can get rough, so it’s a good idea to have an adult nearby.

Here are other water park safety tips:

       Wear a life jacket if you don’t know how to swim or if you’re not a strong swimmer.

       Read all of the signs before going on a ride. Make sure you are tall enough, old enough, and don’t have any of the medical conditions that are listed. If you have questions, check with a parent or ask the lifeguard.

       Always make sure there’s a lifeguard at each ride and listen to his or her instructions. Wait until the rider ahead of you has passed a safe point for you to go down the slide.

       Always go down the water slide face up and feet first. This is the safe and correct way to ride.

       When you go from ride to ride, don’t run — it’s slippery! Also, remember that each ride is different. Read each sign and note how deep the water is in the pool.

BackContinue But I Know How to Swim!

It’s important to know your limits when it comes to playing in the water. You could develop a cramp (where a muscle in your body suddenly tenses up and causes pain) or other physical problem that makes it hard to swim. If you get a cramp, get out of the water for a while and give your muscles a rest.

Waves can knock you down or push you to the ocean floor. Stay close to an adult or get out of the water when the waves get rough. People also get into trouble when they start to panic or become too tired to swim. It is important to know your limits.

Here are some other good water safety tips:

       Learn to swim. Ask your parents to contact your local American Red Cross or community center for information on boating or water safety courses.

       Always put on plenty of sunscreen before you go outside. It’s also a good idea to wear sunglasses and a hat to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays.

       Stop swimming or boating as soon as you see or hear a storm. Remember, lightning is electricity — electricity and water are a dangerous combination.

       Don’t swim in the dark.

       Wherever you’re swimming, do have a waterfall of fun!

Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD

• Make sure adults are trained in life-saving techniques and CPR so they can rescue a child if necessary.
• Surround your pool on all four sides with a sturdy five-foot fence.
• Make sure the gates self-close and self-latch at a height children can’t reach.
• Keep rescue equipment (a shepherd’s hook — a long pole with a hook on the end — and life preserver) and a portable telephone near the pool.
• Avoid inflatable swimming aids such as “floaties.” They are not a substitute for approved life vests and can give children a false sense of security.
• Children are not developmentally ready for swim lessons until after their fourth birthday. Swim programs for children under four should not be seen as a way to decrease the risk of drowning.
• Whenever infants or toddlers are in or around water, an adult should be within arm’s length, providing “touch supervision.”