It’s pool season, so let’s get your swimming pool ready for Spring! However, while you may be anxious to jump into those cool waters right away, the pool probably isn’t quite ready for swimmers just yet.
Not to worry: with some planning, you will be swimming in no time. In this blog post, let’s review some steps that will get you one step closer to being pool-ready for spring.
When Should You Open Your Pool For Spring?
Is spring too early to open your pool? This depends largely on where you live. Once temperatures reach a consistent 70 degrees, it’s a good time to think about opening and getting that pool read for spring. In fact, your health depends on it. You see, bacteria, algae and debris collect during the pool’s “off peak” months, making it unsafe for you to dive in until you’ve taken the proper steps to prepare the pool. The longer you wait during warm temperatures, the more algae that form.
Get Your Swimming Pool Ready for Spring
Before taking a dip in the pool, you’ll need to make sure it’s in tip-top shape. Here are some areas to make sure you address:
- Drain water from your pool cover before removing it. This will help to prevent any rubbish that has collected on it from ending up in the water.
- Get the right chemistry. Take a water sample to a professional. They’ll tell you what needs to be adjusted. On a regular basis, test your pool water for pH, total alkalinity, and chlorine levels using a testing kit. Dip the test strip into the pool water and compare it to the color chart on the bottle to determine current chemical levels.
- Get pool-ready with spring-cleaning. Replace any water that has evaporated during winter months. Vacuum the leaves and debris from the pool and reconnect equipment, including the filter, pump and heater. Additionally, clean the pool’s filtration system to remove any dirt, debris and bacteria that remain. Run the filter overnight and clean it every day until the water is clear.
Protect The Pool Area
Swimming is great fun, but that enjoyment can quickly turn to tragedy if precautions aren’t taken to protect your pool area.
Obviously, we’re big fans of pool fences. That’s because they are tremendously helpful in keeping your pool safe. By installing a fence, you are blocking off the pool area and preventing danger. Make sure the fence is at least four feet tall and has a self-closing, self-latching gate.
Extra layers of protection can also help to ensure the safety of your loved ones. Doors and windows in the house should be securely locked. In addition, installing locks and alarms in the vicinity of the pool can prevent an accidental drowning by alarming you if anyone approaches the area.
Sharpen Your Skills
The beginning of pool season is the perfect time to consider some important life-saving measures. These apply not only to children, but also to every adult in your home, as well as babysitters and anyone else who will be actively supervising swimming children. Taking these several simple steps can truly help to prevent tragedy:
- Swimming Lessons. One of the best ways to prevent pool-related accidents is by ensuring that everyone in your home knows how to swim. With the Infant Swimming Resource program, even infants can learn.
- CPR Training. Drowning can happen in a matter of seconds. If you have a pool, you should be trained in CPR to combat drowning incidents. If you are already certified, this may be a good time to refresh your memory.
- Establish Pool Rules. Establish and reinforce a set of rules for the pool. Make sure that everyone knows and understands them. This may include things like “Never go into the pool unsupervised” and “make sure you always have a buddy in the pool with you.”
