When the summer heat rolls around, it’s tough to put the cool and refreshing waters of your swimming pool on hold.
But in order for you to have the best pool season possible, everything needs to work as expected. When it does you save time and keep pool bills low. And that alone is a major part of pool safety:
Making sure your pool system is in good working order.
Of course, it also involves the safety measures you take to keep other swimmers and yourself out of harm’s way.
“According to the Centers for Disease Control, for every child in the United States who drowns, five other children receive emergency room care for injuries suffered in a swimming pool.”
Taking the time to learn pool safety is one of the best decisions you can make as a pool owner. Especially if you live with other people — it’s a decision to protect everyone who uses your pool.
So to get started, use this pool safety equipment list as a guide for inspecting your pool.
At the end of this post, download your free Pool Safety Equipment Checklist to get started.
The Best Pool Safety Equipment Checklist For Safer Swims
Water Rescue Equipment
Whether it’s in cartoons or summer themed movies, you always see a ring buoy somewhere next to a pool. And that’s because, at this point, it’s the staple of water rescue equipment.
And for good reason — it’s an easy to use and highly effective rescue tool. Simply toss it to the distressed swimmer, and pull them in.
At a minimum, every swimming pool should be equipped with a ring buoy and rope. However, there may be situations when a ring buoy can’t do the job.
So here’s some other rescue equipment worth having poolside:
- Shepherd’s Crook
- A rounded arm-like hook attachment for your pole. Used to reach out to and pull in distressed swimmers
- Rescue tubes
- These are the tubes lifeguards have on their laps at the pool. Can be used like a ring buoy but offers more flexibility and usability
- Life vest
- Coast guard approved vests are best
In addition to water rescue equipment, there’s one other SUPER important item that every swimming pool needs:
A first aid kit.
Whether it’s a stubbed toe or scraped forehead, being prepared makes all the difference. With a first aid kit nearby, you always are.
Pool alarms
Have kids? Have pets? Ever worry about them getting into the pool without you knowing?
Pool alarms are the solution.
You can install pool alarms in and around your pool. Which ones you install are entirely dependent on your needs.
A few pool alarm options include:
- Swimming Pool Door Alarms
- These go off whenever the door leading to the pool area is opened
- Swimming Pool Gate Alarm
- Similar to pool door alarms, gate alarms go off whenever a gate is unlatched or opened
- Pool Water Alarms
- Most useful for parents and pet owners — these alarms alert you whenever there’s a disturbance in the water. Pool water alarms use sensors to detect waves and level changes caused by splashes or swimmers entering the pool.
If you already have pool alarms installed, run a few tests to ensure they’re working as expected.
Fences and Gates
If you have younger kids at home, a pool fence is a must. Aside from using a cover, it’s the most effective way to restrict a child’s pool access. And by reducing the odds of a child getting into the pool area, it helps to give parents the peace of mind they need.
A few options include permanent fencing and removable safety fences for inground pools.
Whatever your decision, ensure that your selection includes self-closing hinges and latches. If it doesn’t, buy some and install them yourself.
Although a small upgrade, self-closing latches make a big difference. They restrict unsupervised pool access and reduce pool “break-ins”. So even if another swimmer forgets to close the gate behind them there’s nothing to worry about.
If you already have a safety fence installed, do a quick walk around the perimeter and give each post a light shake. This ensures that there aren’t any weak spots in the fence.
Also, test your latches and hinges to make sure they close properly.
Patio and Pool Furniture
Take a few minutes to inspect the condition of your patio furniture. Check and look for:
- Loose bolts/screws
- Rust
- Sharp or jagged edges
- Worn or broken material
- Wasp or bees nests
Use a wrench and screwdriver to tighten and loose pieces. For rust, a homemade pool cleaning solution of lime juice and salt can work wonder. Replace worn out and broken material if possible. And if furniture is damaged beyond repair, discard and replace it.
Ran into a wasp nest? Learn how to deter bees and wasps naturally.
A few safety tips for pool furniture:
- Keep pool furniture far away from the pool edge
- Bolt down metal furniture to the deck for extra security
- Store excess furniture outside of the pool area
Ladders and Rails
If your ladders and rails are already installed:
- Check for rusted bolts and nuts
- Inspect for cracks and damage
- Test that the fixture is securely fastened by applying force
If you haven’t installed your ladders and rails already:
- Ensure that there are no missing screws or pieces
- Inspect for unusual wear or damage
- Follow manufacturer instructions when installing new equipment
Drains and grates
While most swimming pools today include safety compliant drains and grates, it’s still important to make sure that your pool is up to standards. Especially since they’re legally required in several states.
Unfortunately, in the past, there were incidents where swimmers were trapped underwater by faulty main drain covers.
In response, pool supply manufacturers worked to develop anti-entrapment drains. These special pool drain covers offer improved circulation for swimming pools and eliminate the risk of underwater entrapment.
Today, pool owners can choose from wide range of options, including modern square designs and retro style covers.
Before opening your pool, take a few minutes to do the following:
- Ensure that all drain covers and grates are securely fastened
- Replace covers that are cracked or missing pieces
- Replace any drains covers that aren’t anti-entrapment
Pool Deck
There’s a pretty simple rule of thumb to follow when it comes to pool safety and your pool deck:
If it doesn’t belong there get rid of it.
Whether’s it’s a case of wine, the old bookshelf you’ve been meaning to throw out, or your kid’s Lego collection. If it isn’t necessary, then it shouldn’t be there.
Leaving extra stuff around the pool not only creates clutter but distractions too. Fun and colorful distractions that can entice curious children to wander into a pool unsupervised.
So to eliminate that risk altogether, keep your pool deck as organized and spotless as possible. That means eliminating clutter and brushing the deck regularly.
If your pool deck is already clean and organized, then great job! Most of your work is done.
With that out of the way, be sure to double check for:
- Broken or loose skimmer lids
- Cracked or broken decking
- Unscrewed cover anchors
Related: How To Clean Your Pool Deck
The filter, pump, and pool heater
Your pool pump is truly the heart of your swimming pool. It keeps your water flowing and powers the filtration process. Which is why it’s important to make sure it stays in good shape.
Before powering on your pump, check for:
- Loose seals and worn out O-rings
- Cracks or breaks in the pump’s housing
- An adequate power supply
For the pool filter, check for
- Cracks or damage to the housing
- Leaks or loose connections
- A loose seal when opening and closing the filter
Last, walk over to your pool heater and check for:
- Loose PVC fittings and connections
- Non-refrigerant related leaks
- Worn or damaged power connections
- Proper power supply
Before moving on, power on your pump. Then check that your pool heater turns on and stays on. If it doesn’t, it’s time to start pool heater troubleshooting.
Related: Pool Heater Not Turning On? Here’s What To Do
Pool Chemicals
While we could write an entire post on pool chemical safety, we’ll condense it to this paragraph for now.
Here are some tips for proper pool chemical storage:
- Store chemicals separately and never mix to save space
- Store chemicals in a dry indoor location, like a garage
- Avoid inhaling fumes from chemicals
- Keep chemicals out of reach of children
- Discard expired chemicals
When using pool chemicals, use gloves to handle, follow manufacturer product instructions, and test your water regularly.
Related: How To Manage Pool Chemicals
Electrical
For this step, walk around the pool area and check:
- Pool lights
- Check for damaged lights and shattered covers
- Loose wires
- If there are ANY loose wires in your pool area, first make sure that they aren’t live. Then properly remove them. Call a professional electrician if you require assistance.
- Power outlets
- Check that your power outlets are in good condition and equipped with ground faults to prevent electrical shock
In the pool
More than likely, the inside of your pool is in great shape. That said, it never hurts to check for the some of the common hazards:
- Broken glass
- Cracked steps
- Loose concrete shards
- Debris build up
- Algae infestations
Related: 21 Pool Care Hacks That Make Pool Maintenance Easy | Essential Pool Safety Tips
Use a Pool Safety Equipment Checklist to keep your pool in the best shape
With this downloadable checklist, you can easily ready your swimming pool for a fun-filled swim season. And you can do it with the confidence of knowing everything will work.
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