Pool Safety Cover

From LoveToKnow Safety

If you are going to invest in a swimming pool for your back yard, plan to include the cost of a pool safety cover as well. It's the responsible way to proceed.

Pool Safety Basics

You may be surprised to learn that drowning is the leading cause of death for children between the ages of one-four years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, three children die in this way every day.

Many municipalities do require homeowners who have a pool to install a fence around the pool area. Even a sturdy fence with a sturdy lock won't deter a person (child or adult) who is determined to get to the pool; they will just climb it.

When you are looking for a pool cover, make sure you are buying the right one for your needs. A simple solar cover or one designed for use in the winter months is not a safety cover. You can get information about standards for pool covers by visiting the the American Society for Testing and Materials website.

Pool Safety Cover: Options Available

There are a number of options available for homeowners who want to install a pool safety cover.

Mesh Pool Covers

Install a mesh pool safety cover when you need one that will be in place for some time, such as when you are closing the pool for the season. An advantage to choosing this option is that rain passed through it, and you avoid having to deal with puddles forming on its surface. Leaves and other debris are stopped by the mesh material. You will need to clean it from time to time to remove dirt and silt that accumulates on top.

Solid Pool Covers

Solid pool covers are another choice available to consumers. Like the mesh style, a solid cover is bolted to the pool deck by anchors. If you live in an area that gets a lot of precipitation, this may not be the best choice, since water will accumulate on the pool cover's surface. Some styles do include drain panels to deal with this issue, while others accommodate a cover pump that automatically moves water off the surface of the pool cover when it is detected.

Automatic Pool Cover

With this type of cover, the pool is covered at all times when the pool is not in use. The homeowner uses a key to operate the mechanism that opens and closes the cover as desired. Not only do you have the security of knowing that no one can access the pool without using the key, but this style also offers the following benefits:

  • Improved heat retention
  • Less need for chemicals
  • Limits evaporation

If you want to install an automatic pool safety cover, you will need to have space for a motor and assembly pit on your pool deck. The cover moves back and forth on tracks, and you will need to find room for these as well. While it may be easier to include an automatic cover in your plans before the pool is installed, you can add one after the fact as well.

Safety should be your first concern when you are considering installing a pool on your property. A pool can give you and your family many hours of enjoyment, but unless you take all the precautions you can to keep the area safe, you won't be able to relax and enjoy yourself. It only takes a short time for someone to drown in a pool, and the memory of the event will be with you for a lifetime.

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