Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act Presentation
Posted on 08. Mar, 2010 by admin in Blog, Pool Safety, Pool Tips
We know this isn’t the most exciting topic in the swimming pool industry, but it’s something that doesn’t get discussed enough. We’ve attached a presentation from the Consumer Product Safety Commission discussing pool and spa entrapment and tips to avoid swimming pool hazards.
Pool Safety on the Go? There’s an App for That
Posted on 30. Nov, 2009 by admin in Pool Safety
Owning a swimming pool in Orlando means having great risks associated with it. One of the first things you should learn when owning a swimming pool is CPR, and luckily, there are courses available in the Lake Nona area. I am a certified lifeguard, but if you don’t practice, you tend to forget the steps needed to perform CPR, and considering your actions could have life or death consequences, it’s a good idea to have tools to help you remember.
Today I found a new app in the iPhone App Store called PocketCPR [iTunes link]. I looked through the screenshots, and didn’t really know what to expect, but what I found was an amazing app that is now a permanent fixture on my iPhone.
The app allows you to setup an emergency number that can be dialed with one touch, and also has instructions for performing CPR with or without breathing.
Once you select CPR instructions, the app begins speaking to you so you don’t have to worry about reading the screen. It very accurately walks you through the steps to perform CPR, insuring you don’t miss anything. Once you’ve performed the initial steps, and need to start doing chest compressions, the app details how to hold the iPhone, then it jumps to a screen where it uses the accelerometer to assist you in compression depth and speed. It truly is an amazing app!
If you own a pool, or visit a local swimming pool often, this app should be a no-brainer purchase. The app is $9.99, but can you really put a price on saving someone’s life? I created a short video showing the app in motion, but it came out blurry, and I misquoted the price, so forgive me for the mistakes. 
If you have questions, write them in the comments section. If we run across any other pool apps we think you’ll enjoy, we’ll review those as well.
10 Tips for Swimming Pool Safety
Posted on 23. Nov, 2009 by admin in Pool Safety
Even though the weather is cooling off, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be aware of safety concerns around a swimming pool. Here are 10 tips for swimming pool safety.
- If your child is missing, check the pool first. If the unthinkable has happened every second counts.
- If you’re little one already knows how to swim they should still always be supervised. Knowing how to swim doesn’t prevent accidents from happening.
- Pool Alarms. These can be used as an added safety feature and they are made for doors and for underwater.
- Are there empty homes on your street? Do they have swimming pools? This can be very dangerous even if the pool is empty. If you aren’t sure if there is a pool, try using Google maps (satellite view) to check out your neighborhood. An empty home with a pool can be a hazard that is easily prevented by a phone call to the owner or real estate agent. Simply ask them to please place a lock on the side gate to prevent the possibility of a child wandering back there.
- Long hair and limbs can get caught in pool drains creating a risk for your young swimmers. Make sure that no pool drains are broken or missing. Even better, if your child has long hair, pin it up to prevent accidental suction. Know where your circuit breaker is for the pool/spa and label it clearly in the event it needs to be shut off during an emergency.
- Have your child wear an approved safety device at all times while you are around the pool. Arm floaties can easily slip off when a child jumps in. A flotation device that is snug and goes around the torso is a better option.
- Identify other areas besides pools that pose a threat. Things like small wading pools or plastic tubs can be enough to compromise the safety of your child.
- If you have a play date, ask if the child knows how to swim. If the answer is no, take extra precaution to lock all doors leading to the pool. If you are taking your child to a play date ask if there is a pool.
- If you are going to a park, find out if there is a pool and know where it is. Make sure that there isn’t a way that your child can get in to the area.
- Pool fences should go around the entire pool and be at least 4 feet tall. There should be a secure latch and/or lock if your child can reach the opening.