Monthly Archives

October 2020

Swimming Pool Dangers

By | Uncategorized

Written by Admin, and published on https://www.hg.org/.

Swimming is an excellent form of exercise. But like many activities, swimming in a pool has its downside.

Despite attempts to disinfect the pool, some pathogens may still lurk in the water. And research suggests that disinfectants may pose their own health hazards.

The Dangers of Swimming Pools

A brief explanation of swimming pools, their dangers, and how parents can ensure their children’s safety in and near the water. Every year, 283 children under the age of five are killed in swimming-pool related accidents. Besides this, 2,700 water-related emergency rooms are recorded. Swimming pools can be fun and relaxing, but they are also dangers, especially to young children.

Numerous studies have shown an obvious connection between swimming pools and serious injuries. According to the government, drowning is the second most prominent cause of accidental injury-related death of children between one and 14 years of age. For children between the ages of one and four, the government considers drowning the number one cause of injury-related deaths.

While these statistics are tragic, not all swimming pool related injuries are fatal and steps can be taken to avoid them. Swimming pools pose a variety of dangers – not just drowning. In 2009, 564,000 people were prevented from drowning by a life guard. Unfortunately, not all pools have life guards. Electrical defects, slippery sidewalks, ladders, diving boards, slides, and other hazards can easily cause fatal or non-fatal injuries. There have been several cases of children who have been severely injured, or even disemboweled by public pool drains.

When a victim survives a swimming pool injury, it may take a great deal of time for them to recover. In fact, some injuries, such as disembowelment, will have life-long ramifications. Many victims of serious injuries suffer from severe emotional and psychological scaring as well. Swimming pool injuries, especially serious ones, can often times be avoided. In order to make sure that a child or other person is not injured in a pool, tell them to never play near drains of suction outlets – even in small, “kidding pools” and hot tubs. If a pool has a loose, broken, or missing drain cover, do not enter the pool. To prevent drowning, make sure that pools are surrounded by fences to keep children from falling into them.

Removing floatation devices and other pool toys from the water may discourage children from going near the water. The presence of toys may encourage them to enter the pool without adult supervision. While on vacation, be sure to inquire about the safety precautions recreation centers, parks, and hotels have taken to make sure their pools are safe. Adults must never leave a child alone near a pool, even if it is a public pool and the child can swim. Even children and adults who are adept swimmers can suffer injuries a pool, but accidents can be avoided if the proper precautions are taken.

Original post here https://www.hg.org/legal-articles/the-dangers-of-swimming-pools-27049.

Pool Signs And Warnings

By | Pool Safety

Written by Admin, and published on https://swimsignsmart.com/.

Swimming pools are areas where safety is an extremely important concept, and sometimes visual communication is necessary to provide warnings and reminders for swimmers. These pool warning signs establish pool rules and caution of dangers such as chemicals in the water or pool closure. If lifeguards or other staff are absent, signs are essential so visitors still obtain situational awareness.

Creative Safety Supply’s pool warning signs are resistant to both water and chemicals, which make them perfect for pool applications. Their messaging will not fade over time, and they can be mounted both indoors and out. From our selection below, you can choose A-frame signs that can be set up and taken down as needed, or wall signs that also adhere to signposts, doors, and windows.

The Importance of Using Pool Safety Signs

Owning a pool can be a lot of fun but you need to make sure that you do things the right way. As entertaining as it is to own a pool, you also need to recognise that pools have the potential to be dangerous.  Safety signs are a critical part of the water safety program at your swimming pool. They help to keep swimmers safe from harm and to fulfill your legal duty to warn. Your signs may be providing a layer of protection for your guests.

There are even certain laws in place that require pool signs that feature safety information for some types of pools and these laws are vary depending on state or area where you live.  Below you will be able to take a look at some of the important things to consider when using pool safety signs.

There are many types of signs and they can help to get the right information across so it’s a good thing to keep in mind when you own a pool.

Keeping People Safe

These signs can be used to alert people. They can also be used to help people understand certain things. For example, using a sign that clearly states that there are no lifeguards present will let people know that there is no one around to help them if they encounter trouble.

Some signs such as this are going to be required by law if you own a public or commercial pool. Some states have certain requirements for residential pool owners as well so you should research the requirements based on where you are currently living.

Warning About Water Hazards

All pools have a duty to warn because water presents a very real hazard to people who are unaware – from diving in shallow water to precautions to avoid drowning.

Sanitation

Sanitation is also one of the important part of the taking care of the pool. In this matter the signs which talks about the massage to don’t make pool dirty are come into this category.You want to make sure that everyone is aware that this is not acceptable by any means.

If children are using the pool area, then make sure that their parents are aware of the signs. As a pool owner you should definitely consider this if you have people come over to use your pool from time to time.

Making the Pool Rules Clear

Making your pool rules very clear is also very important. This is going to be extremely important for public or commercial pools. Private residential pools can also benefit by making use of these pool safety signs. They can show everyone using the pool what your rules and expectations are.

You should be able to find signs that showcase your policies on many different things.  For the best results, you want to make sure that the pool rules are visible at all times. Put some thought into where you can best place the signs before moving forward.

Liability Concerns

Using pool signs properly can help you to avoid liability in several different ways as no one wants to have someone use his or her pool. This is going to be one of the primary reasons why people make use of pool signs.Also some signs that are required by law in these types of pools.

Today’s best practices of Safety Signs include:

  • A systems approach repetition of messages to communicate the most important water safety warnings at various critical points Tailored content to be specific to the environment at hand.
  • Bi-lingual messages to communicate to multi-national audiences.
  • Graphical symbols for immediate noticeability.

Signs for Fun

There are some funny pool sings in the market. You can have signs that are simultaneously informative and entertaining. There are some fun pool signs that lay out the basic rules also. So always buy pool signs which things should match up with what your perfect vision of the pool. There are lots of options available to buy sign rules and it shouldn’t take long to find a good fit. So be ready with your requirements and idea as per the pool design and your choice as a pool owner.

In Conclusion

So that this concludes that the pool signs play an important role as far as the protection of the people areound the pool is concerned. So you always keep best options and idea while shopping for the pool signs whether you go for online shopping or  local companies. Just remember to make sure that you are following the laws and expectations of your specific area.

Original post here https://swimsignsmart.com/articles/the-importance-of-using-pool-safety-signs/.

Which Type of Pool is Best?

By | Pool Safety

Written by Admin, and published on https://leisurepoolsusa.com/.

Just like anything else, swimming pools come in all different types, designs, sizes, and shapes and are used for various purposes. Budget, lot size, local codes, and availability of materials will all factor into what type of pool you will eventually decide to build or install on your property.

Before taking the plunge, assess what type of swimming pool works for you and your family. Maybe a small spool will be perfect for you, or do you dream of a large, landscaped in-ground pool complete with a pool house? Take a tour of your options.

What is the Best Type of Swimming Pool for My Home?

So you’re thinking about getting a swimming pool for your backyard that will provide years of enjoyment, laughter, and fun for your family. No doubt, owning a swimming pool will have a wonderful and lasting effect on your life. Notwithstanding, in order to make the most out of this experience, it’s important you understand what your options are and which type of pool will best suit your needs.

Even though we are one of the world’s largest manufacturers of inground fiberglass swimming pools here at Leisure Pools, we’ve decided to give you the honest and unbiased answers you need to answer this very important question. Here goes…

Option #1: Above Ground Swimming Pools pros and cons

Advantages of above ground pools

There is one definitive advantage of an above ground swimming pool – cost. Without question, an above ground pool is going to cost less than any type of inground pool (assuming you don’t build a large deck around it, at which point, you could have just as easily bought an inground pool).

Disadvantages of above ground pools

For most folks, the biggest disadvantage of above ground pools is their aesthetics. Some can view an above ground pool as an eyesore.  Often subdivisions do not allow for their construction within their covenants. Even with a deck built entirely around them, an above ground pool will generally never add to the appearance of your home and yard. In fact, it will likely be a deterrent.

Another disadvantage of an above ground pool is their depth and design limitation.  Generally speaking, most above ground pools come in one of 3 shapes—circle, oval, or rectangle.

Above ground pools simply are not built to last a long time. Their metals walls can oxidize and rust easily, and the majority of structures will generally fail in the 8-15 year mark.  As a result of this, an above ground pool generally is not factored in as an improvement when a house is being valued and can be a deterrent when trying to sell a house.

above ground pool - circle shape

Above ground pool – circle shape

Option #2: Vinyl Liner Inground Swimming Pools pros and cons

Advantages of vinyl liner pools

If you’re looking to get an inground pool and have a very limited budget, vinyl liner may be the best choice for you.  Their material costs are low and as a result a vinyl liner pool will in most cases cost $5,000 to $10,000 less initially than their concrete or fiberglass counterparts.

With a vinyl liner pool, you have very few limits when it comes to shape and size.  With today’s technology, you can make the pool as deep and as curvy/straight/large as you’d like.

Disadvantages of vinyl liner pools

The biggest disadvantage of a vinyl liner inground pool is the liner itself.  The material is a polymer and it will break down over time and need to be replaced.  Also, the liner can tear easily or become undone from the sides, causing it slowly to fall into the water.

On average (and regardless of what “warranties” say), you can expect your inground vinyl liner to last between 7-12 years, with the average cost of replacement (labor, liner, and water) in the $3,000 to $7,000 range, depending on the size/shape of the pool.

Another disadvantage of a liner pool is the aesthetic look.  Generally speaking, a standard liner pool installation will look much “cheaper” and “temporary” than a fiberglass or concrete pool.  As a result a vinyl liner inground pools typically don’t add value to your home like a fiberglass or concrete pool would do of the same size.

In many countries now, vinyl liner pools are no longer sold and fiberglass pools and concrete pools are the swimming pools of choice.

Option #3: Concrete (Gunite) Swimming Pools pros and cons

Advantages of concrete (gunite) pools

The main advantage of a concrete pool is the fact that it can be designed and customized to fit any size, shape, or depth you’d like. From a visual standpoint, a concrete pool can look very nice because of these customizable features.

Concrete pools add value to the property and are an asset when the owner looks to sell the home.

Disadvantages of concrete (gunite) pools

Far and away, the biggest drawback to a concrete pool is the high maintenance required to keep these pool pretty, clear, and clean.  Not only does a concrete pool require more chemicals and brushing during the season, but it also goes through an expensive resurface on average every 8-15 years.

Another disadvantage of a concrete pool is its roughness of surface.  Not only does this roughness lead to acid washing and easy algae growth, but also it can be very hard on children’s feet, and cause them to bleed after a few hours of playing in the pool.

Concrete pools also traditionally take a long time to build.  This can be frustrating for homeowners as they have a constant construction zone in their yard for on average 3 months.

Concrete pools are not ideally suited for salt chlorination.  Although salt chlorinators can be installed on concrete pools a concrete pool with require more maintenance and will require resurfacing earlier than if traditional water sanitizing was in place.  Given the many amazing benefits of salt chlorination this is a disadvantage for concrete pools.

Option #4 Fiberglass Swimming Pools pros and cons

Advantages of fiberglass pools

Generally speaking, it’s now an accepted fact that fiberglass pools require the least amount of maintenance of any swimming pool on the market today. With their smooth, non-porous surfaces, it’s hard for algae to grow on fiberglass and when used with a salt chlorinator, the minimal maintenance is astounding for many pool owners.

Fiberglass swimming pools can be installed in a very short period of time. The main reason being is that the swimming pool structure is fabricated off site meaning that once the hole for the swimming pool is excavated the finished swimming pool structure can be lowered into the hole and all that is then required is for the decking and landscaping to be completed around the swimming pool. Fiberglass swimming pools can be fully installed an operational in as little as 5 days.

Leisure Pools have made tremendous advancements in the color technology of fiberglass swimming pools.  Leisure Pools offers each of its swimming pool designs in the Leisure Pools SMART color range.  This new color range is available in 7 distinct colors and each has a spectacular sparkle finish.  The surface is smooth and as a result children and adults skin is not damaged by the pool surface.

Leisure Pools have made advancements in manufacturing technology with the release of the Leisure Pools Composite Armour™ swimming pool. This swimming pool has improved flexural and tensile strength enabling Leisure Pools to offer a Lifetime Structural Warranty and Lifetime Osmosis Warranty (see warranty for terms).  Lifetime warranty means not less than 35 years. These warranties are far superior to anything offered by above ground, vinyl liner and concrete pools.

As a fiberglass swimming pool is built off a mold the benefit is that the design schematic is exactly what the swimming pool is going to look like.  We hear so many customers complain about concrete pools after they have been built because the design is formed on site and in so many cases the design envisaged by the customer is not what is finally built by the concrete pool builder. With fiberglass swimming pools you know exactly the design and sizing enabling you to plan your backyard landscaping around that exact design.

One of the great advantages of a fiberglass swimming pool is the range of designs that are available. Leisure Pools offers a wide spectrum of designs to suit a variety of home architecture. Our designs are based off substantial market research to ascertain the various features and benefits customers are wanting from a swimming pool.

The Limitless™ – fiberglass swimming pool with built-in spa

Disadvantages of fiberglass pools

The first disadvantage of a fiberglass swimming pool is that the swimming pool needs to be transported via road to the home site so we are limited as to the dimensions of the swimming pool.  Our largest fiberglass swimming pool is 40’ (12 meters) and 16’ wide (4.8 meters).  If you want a swimming pool larger than this size then a concrete swimming pool is going to be your best option.  In truth however, 95% of swimming pools are less than 40’ (12 meters) in length.

The second disadvantage of fiberglass pools is if you are looking for a design that is not available from our range. Fiberglass swimming pools are built off a mold that is an expensive item to build.  Therefore, we are limited to the number of mold designs.   Leisure Pools undertakes extensive market research to ensure that we can offer a range of designs to suit 95% of customer requirements however if you are wanting a design that is a little out of the ordinary then you may need to consider concrete swimming pools.

In conclusion: what is the best type of swimming pool?

We firmly believe that the Leisure Pools composite fiberglass swimming pool is the best available swimming pool structure for 95% of customer requirements. We urge people on a budget to look at fiberglass before above ground and vinyl liner pools. Even if you need to wait a year to save up the difference in the long term both in terms of maintenance and increased value in your home it will be the best decision for you in the long run.

Original post here https://leisurepoolsusa.com/buying-a-pool/what-is-the-best-type-of-swimming-pool-for-my-home/.

 

Pool Signs by State

By | Pool Safety

Written by Dustin Heap, and published on https://www.signs.com/.

Safety is an important concept at swimming pools. Occasionally, visual communication is needed to provide safety reminders, such as people swim at their own risk if a lifeguard isn’t around, there’s no diving allowed, and that some pool chemicals may be dangerous. Swimming pool signs are a great tool for this communication and easy to implement.

State-by-State Guide to Pool Signage and Fencing Requirements

For all its charms, pool ownership comes with some weighty responsibilities. To help pool owners and operators meet the challenging task of making sure that their pools are safe, we have put together a description of pool sign and fencing laws in all 50 U.S. states, as well as information about general pool issues such as insurance, liability, and safety measures.  Before we tell you what you need to know about pool regulations and safety issues, let’s begin with a brief story that shows why pool signs and other safety measures are so crucial.

Why Pool Signs?

On vacation in Palm Springs, California, Morris Haft and his son Mark—both inexperienced swimmers—went for a swim in the pool at the Lone Palm Hotel. The pool did not have a lifeguard on duty, and Morris and Mark were the only guests swimming that day. Tragically, both Morris and 5-year old Mark drowned. In the aftermath of the incident, the Haft family sued the hotel for failing to take necessary safety precautions to prevent the drowning.  After a prolonged legal battle, the hotel was found liable for damages since, among other things, it did not display signs with the warnings required by California law. This heartbreaking story illustrates the tremendous importance of posting safety signage—both to prevent unnecessary accidents and protect against liability.

While pools are less prevalent in some states due to climate, backyard and public swimming pools are extremely common across the United States. By some estimates there are nearly 7 million hot tubs and 9 million pools (public and residential) in the U.S. Considering how many devastating and, in many cases, preventable drownings (like that of the Hafts) occur each year, it is easy to see why swimming pool signage and other safety measures are so important.

Because of the potential for liability and the responsibility to protect strangers and loved ones alike, pool signage is an absolute must for both public and residential pools. In this post, we outline many of the laws, definitions, and legal precedents governing swimming pool liability at federal, state, and local levels. While there are countless legal issues relating to pool ownership (installation, location, care, maintenance, etc.) we focus on what we do best–signage. As a labor of love, we also outline swimming pool fencing laws for each state. We hope that the information we provide not only helps pool owners and operators adhere to relevant laws, but also reduces drownings and other pool accidents.

Before we dive in (sorry, couldn’t resist) let us note one quick disclaimer: we’re not legal experts and this post is not professional legal advice. While we’ve identified the laws that we know of, both homeowners and public pool administrators should ensure that signage and fencing used around pools meet any applicable local, state, and federal requirements. We will not be held liable for any signage or fencing that fails to meet legal requirements. Moreover, while we frequently reference federal, state, county, and city laws, we make no guarantees about the recency or validity of these codes. Pool owners are responsible for finding and following the statutes that govern their pools. With that out of the way, we can go forward with our discussion of the safety and liability considerations that pool owners should be familiar with. If you are only interested in the requirements for  your state, jump to our state-by-state breakdown of swimming pool laws.

What is Swimming Pool Liability?

Defined literally, liable means “responsible by law or legally answerable.” While swimming pool liability is fairly straightforward for commercial and public pools, it is much less so in a residential setting, since both sides have convincing arguments in pool injury claims. Home/pool owners can use trespassing laws in their favor while injured parties often use legal angles such as “attractive nuisance.” Other legal doctrines  that could come into play in a pool lawsuit include negligence, willful or wanton misconduct, and inadequate supervision. Regardless, the potential for liability is an indisputable reality of pool ownership.

What Kind of Pool Insurance do I need?

Though homeowners often believe they need some kind of separate insurance policy for their pool or spa, this is not the case. Rather, insurance for pools is covered under the personal liability section of any insurance policy. There are many things to consider when getting insured as a pool owner in a residential setting.

First, pools are dangerous regardless of  precautions taken. Consequently, almost all insurance companies and agents advise homeowners to increase their personal liability limit from the standard 100,000 to 300 or 500,000. This will help protect pool owners in the tragic case of accident or death and the resulting medical and/or legal costs.

Second, even after increasing personal liability limits, most insurance providers also recommend that homeowners buy a separate “umbrella policy,” which can  provide up to 1 million in personal liability protection and act as a supplement to personal liability coverage. In many cases, these umbrella policies can be had for an annual premium increase of as little as 50 to 100 dollars–well worth the assurance that you are covered if tragedy strikes on your property.

Third, homeowners should also ascertain whether their insurance policy covers damage to the pool itself from adverse weather, installation, etc. pool owners should also make sure that the pool manufacturer or installation company is insured, since such contractors and companies often have a specific Pool and Spa insurance policy that reduces their liability in the case of an accident.

From the perspective of insurance companies, pools are very risky. Although it seems somewhat callous, the enormous costs associated with pool-related accidents and deaths prompt insurance providers to be extremely cautious in extending coverage to pool owners.

For example, almost all insurance companies require policyholders to erect pool fences that meet certain criteria such as height (4 feet is most common), building material, spacing of slats, placement, etc. While criteria vary from state to state, most providers also consider whether your pool sits above or below ground, has a diving board or water slide, and other characteristics. In short, they want to know every detail about the pool before signing off on a policy. In the paragraphs below, we outline many  ways that homeowners can make their pools safer. These precautions should go a long way toward obtaining an insurance policy.

How Far-Reaching is Homeowner Pool Liability?

Simply put, there is a lot of liability that comes with pool ownership. In some circumstances,  homeowners can be  liable for accident or death at their pool even if they post warnings and take proper fencing precautions. What’s more, pool owners may still  be held responsible when the person involved in the accident did not have permission to use the pool (this is often the case in the “attractive nuisance” situations described above). While a case involving unauthorized pool use would also involve trespassing laws, the potential for pool owner liability remains,  underscoring the necessity of taking every possible precaution to reduce risk. In brief, pool owners should do everything in their power to protect themselves from the inherent legal risks of pool ownership.

What about Liability for Public Pools?

If a simple residential pool, despite safety precautions, carries serious liability risks for homeowners and insurers alike, one can only imagine the legal issues faced by pools that are open to the public. In addition to prospective legal responsibility for swimmers, public-use pools must also deal with issues such as lifeguards, water sanitation, pool temperature, pool chemicals, employees, sexual abuse, crime, and more. Given all of these potential sources of liability,  it goes without saying that insurance for public-use pools is a must. In many instances, local regulations require pools that are open to the public (including pools operating by hotels, clubs, municipalities, commercial enterprises, etc.) to have insurance as a condition of operation.

Typically, public pool insurance policies are designed to cover “property and liability exposures.” This means that the policy contains elements that provide coverage for incidents related to the pool facility, lifeguards, staff, board, pool operators, equipment, as well as sexual abuse and molestation cases. Additional policies can be obtained for specific purposes or groups such as swim teams, pool management companies, and community pool operators, to name a few. Similar to residential policies, public-use pools can often purchase “umbrella policies” that supplement basic liability coverage, though these policies are usually in then 5-15 million dollar limit range though for pools open to the public (compared to 1 million in a residential setting).

As with any other type of insurance,  the accidents and amounts covered by policies for public use pools vary substantially. The bottom line is that any commercial or public pool operator needs to do their research to ensure they are protected in any scenario.

How Can Homeowners Reduce Risk?

Besides insurance coverage, there are a number of different ways that homeowners can reduce the liability that comes with owning a pool. As noted above, insurance providers often require some of these precautions before they will issue a policy.  While most of these measures will not absolve homeowners of underlying liability, they can go a long way in preventing incidents that trigger litigious situations, not to mention tragedies. Though not an exhaustive list, here are a number of common ways to reduce liability:

Pool Covers – Using a pool cover can be a great way not only to deter accidents involving children, but also prevent uninvited guests from swimming in your pool. Covers should be used regularly, not just during periods of infrequent use.

Fences / Gates – The most obvious way to decrease risk is to enclose the pool with a fence with gates that are kept locked. An additional steps would be to install some kind of pool alarm for the gate, building doors or windows with access to the pool area, or the pool itself. State, county, and city laws, insurance companies, and homeowners associations often have specific standards regarding fence height, material, spacing, gate specifications, and more. Many insurance companies won’t even insure you without a fence! Whatever the legal requirements, the fence and gate should keep unsupervised children out of the pool area, since children are particularly susceptible to drowning in residential pools.

Remove Distractions – Remove any pool toys, floating devices, and other things that may pique the interest of children and ultimately lead to drownings or other accidents.

Supervision – Ensure that there is always some kind of adult supervision when children are in or near the pools. Much like public-use pools need lifeguards at all times, residential pool owners should not assume that even experienced swimmers will be okay. Never allow anyone to swim alone or unsupervised.

Phone / Communication – Another great way to reduce risk is to have a cellphone or landline close enough to the pool that if an emergency occurs, help can be called as quickly as possible.

Safety Devices – In addition to providing life jackets to inexperienced swimmers, pools should having a safety pole and other devices (ring buoy, first aid kit, etc.) to help struggling swimmers out of the pool. Built-in ladders can also reduce the likelihood of accident by providing an easier way out of the pool.

CPR – Take a class and become certified in CPR so that life-saving techniques can be used in case of emergency.

Pool Filters – Keep children away from pool filters or other parts of the pool where suction may entrap those who are unable to escape.

Non-Slick Surfaces – Installing non-slick surfaces can help prevent injuries from falls onto the pool deck or into the water.

Other obvious things pool owners can do include forbidding alcohol in or immediately around the pool, prohibiting swimming during rain/thunderstorms, keeping electrical devices away from the pool, and avoiding swimming after eating or when feeling fatigued.

How can Public Pools Reduce Risk?

In many ways, public-use pools are similar to residential pools. We outline some additional ways that pools open to the public can mitigate are briefly outlined below along with public use-specific ways as well.

Waivers – Technically, public-use pools usually aren’t required to make patrons sign a waiver, but it is not uncommon for swimmers to have to fill one out before using a pool. Sometimes waivers are only required if the facility features slides, diving boards, or other attractions are part of the facility. Residential owners could also use a waiver if they feel that doing so would mitigate liability.

Lifeguard – Surprisingly, some states do not require all public-use pools to have lifeguards on duty at all times. In some cases, whether a lifeguard is required depends on if the pool is administered by public funds or charges patrons directly. Alternatively, som laws state that if no lifeguard is on duty, warning signs and other safety devices (swimming pool pole of “x” length, etc.) must be present. (More on lifeguard signs in the section on state-by-state signage requirements below.) That said,most states do require that public pools have lifeguards on duty at all times to ensure swimmer safety.

Fencing – In almost all cases, public-use pools are required to have some kind of fencing around the pool. States, cities, and counties usually specify exactly what is required of these fences in terms of material, spacing, gates, locks, and more.

Swimming Ages and Pool Hours– Many states require public pools to post the ages at which children can swim without adult supervision. Likewise, public pools often must clearly state operating hours of the pool. These requirements vary state-by-state, as detailed below.

Other safety considerations for public pools include maintaining the proper swimmer-lifeguard ratio, keeping emergency communication devices near the pool, and first aid kits and safety devices, properly trained and certified staff, etc. As with residential pools, safety precautions such as those described above may not completely eliminate the liability of the pool. They will, however, help prevent accidents, provide evidence that the pool has done everything in its power  to reduce dangers to patrons, and encourage insurance companies to extend coverage.

Recreational Water Illness & Chemical Injuries

Another concern for both public and private swimming pools is the spread of illnesses through pool water. These are commonly referred to as “recreational water illnesses” (RWIs) and often result in ear, eye, gastrointestinal and/or respiratory illnesses due to contact with the water. Pool owners and operators need to ensure that proper chlorine and pH levels are maintained at the pool. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention has resources to help pool owners with RWIs. Careful usage of the chemicals used during maintenance is a must for both residential and commercial pool owners.

Pool Signage

Additionally, required pool signs (detailed at length in the state-by-state guide to pool sign laws) that provide information such as pool safety and sanitation rules, diving warnings, occupant capacity, emergency number listings, shutoff switch labels, restricted areas, etc. can also promote safety and reduce liability. If you already know what signs you need, go to our pool sign gallery to find customizable  sign templates or start from scratch to create your personalized pool signage. Otherwise, read about your state signage requirements below to see what signs your pool needs.

Pool Fencing

Pool fences are an important way to decrease the likelihood of child drownings and reduce the potential for liability in accidents that stem from unauthorized pool use. Pool fencing standards are often adopted by states, counties, and municipalities and vary significantly in strength and scope. Depending on location and pool type, regulations for pool barriers are often found in statutory codes, administrative codes, building codes, and zoning ordinances. Residential pool fencing specifications, for example, are frequently located in state and local building codes. These codes often draw heavily on a set of standardized international construction codes, specifically the International Residential Code and  the International Building Code. Appendix G of the International Residential Code and Section 3109 of the International Building Code (essentially identical, with the exception of section headings) contain detailed requirements for pool barriers. While we outline specific requirements for all 50 states and some localities, we provide an extensive explanation of both Appendix G and Section 3109 at the end of this post as a point of reference. Read more here

Original post here https://www.signs.com/blog/state-by-state-guide-to-pool-signage-and-fencing-requirements/.

Swimming Pool Is Safe For Covid 19?

By | Pool Safety

Written by Brick and Agent, and published on https://www.watersafetymagazine.com/.

Is it safe to go swimming in public pools during the COVID-19 outbreak? How about lakes, rivers, and oceans?

There are few better ways to stay in shape or beat the heat than swimming. But fears about COVID-19 have scared many people off because of the risk of exposure to the virus in the water plus fears of the inevitable crowds.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is it safe to go swimming?

Of course it is refreshing to go to the swimming pool, whether is just taking a dip, swim laps, recreation, or maybe even taking swimming lessons.  But with this new Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic many are asking is it safe to go swimming?  Questions have been flooding like can you still swim during the conronavirus?, is swimming in a public pool safe during covid?, is covid 19 a risk for public swimming pools?,  or will swimming pools open during covid19?   As you know, the now pandemic coronavirus COVID-19 has recently turned the world upside down.  We are all trying to cope with the many limitations and/or restrictions now imposed within our daily lives and activities, in order to help prevent spread the virus, such as washing your hands, social distancing and more importantly staying home.

We should all be taking measures to reduce social interaction between people in order to reduce the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19).  By now, we are familiarized with the recommended safety guidelines and these measures should be implemented and followed as much as possible.  For example:

  • Avoid large gatherings, and gatherings in smaller public spaces such as pubs, cinemas, restaurants, theaters, bars, clubs, shopping malls, etc.
  • Avoid gatherings with friends and family.  Keep in touch using remote technology such as phone, internet, and social media.

This also applies to public swimming pools and fitness gyms as well.  Many countries are closing parks, recreational facilities, and swimming pools as well.   Whether is to prevent big social gatherings and/or avoiding contact with others as much as possible, it is to keep you safe.  But the question still remains is it still safe to have swimming as part of your training routine in light of the coronavirus pandemic?  For those facilities that are still opened, visitors to swimming pools are still reminded to shower before using the pool, to shower on leaving the pool and to follow the necessary hygiene precautions when visiting public places to help reduce the risk of infection.  But still, for most of us, regardless whether the pool is open or not steering clear of public swimming pools seems to be the best option for the time being.

The World Health Organisation has recommended chlorination level of 15mg.min/litre is sufficient to kill non-enveloped viruses such as poliovirus, rotavirus and coxsackievirus, and an enveloped virus such as Covid-19 would be inactivated at even lower levels, the document says.  Of course, it goes without saying that swimmers should follow the recommended health guidelines and avoid the swimming pool completely if they are feeling unwell, have a high temperature or have a new continuous cough.  The Water Safety Magazine agrees that people need to take responsibility in this regard and stay away to avoid potentially infecting others.  Some may not agree with that notion but best option whether you are sick or not, it is to stay home and not go to a public swimming pool for now.

The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued clarification and guidance on COVID-19 and treated recreational water venues.  You can check the latest on that here in our CDC Coronavirus section.  The CDC has stated there is no evidence the virus can survive in a properly chlorinated and filtered pool.  The advice and answers provided are useful to swimmers, swim programs and swimming venues.

The guidance in full:

Water Transmission and COVID-19

Drinking Water, Recreational Water and Wastewater: What You Need to Know

Can the COVID-19 virus spread through drinking water?
  • The COVID-19 virus has not been detected in drinking water. Conventional water treatment methods that use filtration and disinfection, such as those in most municipal drinking water systems, should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19.
Is the COVID-19 virus found in feces?
  • The virus that causes COVID-19 has been detected in the feces of some patients diagnosed with COVID-19. The amount of virus released from the body (shed) in stool, how long the virus is shed, and whether the virus in stool is infectious are not known.
  • The risk of transmission of COVID-19 from the feces of an infected person is also unknown. However, the risk is expected to be low based on data from previous outbreaks of related coronaviruses, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). There have been no reports of fecal-oral transmission of COVID-19 to date.
Can the COVID-19 virus spread through pools and hot tubs?
  • There is no evidence that COVID-19 can be spread to humans through the use of pools and hot tubs. Proper operation, maintenance, and disinfection (e.g., with chlorine and bromine) of pools and hot tubs should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19.
Can the COVID-19 virus spread through sewerage systems?
  • CDC is reviewing all data on COVID-19 transmission as information becomes available. At this time, the risk of transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19 through sewerage systems is thought to be low. Although transmission of COVID-19 through sewage may be possible, there is no evidence to date that this has occurred. This guidance will be updated as necessary as new evidence is assessed.
  • SARS, a similar coronavirus, has been detected in untreated sewage for up to 2 to 14 days. In the 2003 SARS outbreak, there was documented transmission associated with sewage aerosols. Data suggest that standard municipal wastewater system chlorination practices may be sufficient to inactivate coronaviruses, as long as utilities monitor free available chlorine during treatment to ensure it has not been depleted.
  • Wastewater and sewage workers should use standard practices, practice basic hygiene precautions, and wear personal protective equipment (PPE) as prescribed for current work tasks.
Should wastewater workers take extra precautions to protect themselves from the COVID-19 virus?
  • Wastewater treatment plant operations should ensure workers follow routine practices to prevent exposure to wastewater. These include using engineering and administrative controls, safe work practices, and PPE normally required for work tasks when handling untreated wastewater. No additional COVID-19–specific protections are recommended for employees involved in wastewater management operations, including those at wastewater treatment facilities.

 

The Association of Aquatic Professionals has been monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak and how that is impacting its global membership. They recently issued the abide guidance to members and noted: “We’ve heard from many of you with questions about how this virus might affect your own operations, especially in relation to treated pool water. Today, we have received clarification on this question from our partners with the CDC’s Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch.

People will continue to ask if Coronavirus (COVID-19) is it safe to go swimming? Tell us what other measures are you taking or your city is making to help ensure your safety in public recreational activities.

Original post here https://www.watersafetymagazine.com/coronavirus-covid-19-is-it-safe-to-go-swimming/.

[brb_collection id="1943"]