Summer has ended and autumn has arrived!  For many of us, now is time to close your pool. At Life Saver Pool Fence, our top concern is water safety. While the pool is open, there are many precautions that all pool owners should take to heart. That said, safety does not stop because the season changes. As pool owners, we must always beware a false sense of security.

In today’s blog, we’re exploring the best practices for when it is time to safely close your pool.

Close Your Pool Using a Weight-Bearing Pool Safety Cover

When you plan to close your pool, you’ll need to have a cover. That said, all covers are not created equal. To avoid unlikely drowning hazards, use a weight-bearing safety cover. At a basic level, these covers are designed to keep debris out of your pool. More importantly, you should be absolutely sure that the cover is built to support the weight of a person. This will help to prevent any little ones from falling into the water. This should go without saying, but no matter what, no one should actively stand on the cover. It’s best to not tempt fate.

Additionally, you should check and double-check your cover for any possible tearing. Over time, you can never tell when a pool cover’s integrity has been compromised. Taking extra precaution can save a life.

Install a Safety Gate

When it’s time to close a pool, that area should be off limits until the warm weather returns. Installing a pool fence is a wonderful safety tool during active swimming time, but it is also immensely helpful all year ‘round.  Make sure you’re using a pool fence with a self-latching gate. Then, take an extra safety step. Lock that gate down with a padlock. Now you don’t need to worry about children or pets getting into the pool area. No other person should be able to open your pool fence but you.

Consider an Alarm

Beyond installing a mesh pool fence, consider adding a pool alarm. This is another layer of security that can alert you or your family when someone has entered the pool area. You can even add alarms to any door or window that leads to the pool area. It’s an extra step that can provide excellent peace of mind.

Clear the Yard of Toys and Pool Chemicals

Now that the pool is closed, make the process complete. Remove all of the pool toys from not just your pool but your yard. This will prevent your children from attempting to explore the hopefully-locked-down “forbidden zone” of your closed swimming pool. Moving toys out of sight helps to psychologically convince the kids that swimming is out of the question.

Next, all swimming pools come with an additional hazard beyond drowning danger. Chemicals needed to keep the water clean and clear can be very harmful. Once you close your pool, you should be absolutely sure to lock these substances away. Be sure to store them safely. For best results, be sure to read and carefully follow the manufacturer’s handling instructions. For additional security, read up on emergency phone numbers and procedures in the event that someone is accidentally exposed to these chemicals. Failure to do so could turn a dangerous situation into a fatal one.

There you have it! By following these simple safety precautions, you can close your pool with confidence. Paying special attention to these steps will reduce the danger. Now your pool area is ready for winter!