Owning your own pool in Turkey is high on everyone’s list of must have’s given that the blistering summer heat can reach 40 degrees. There's nothing better than splashing around inthe privacy of your own garden away from the crowds and noise of the resorts. However there will be times when you want to share this little luxury with friends and family and often this will involve having your kids or grandkids splashing around to. With this in mind, it is essential to take a good look at how safe your pool really is and take measures to safeguard against any unfortunate accidents.
Child Proofing Your Pool
1) If you do have young children in your life or if the local kids are prone to sneak in and take a dip whilst you’re out, then put a fence with a lockable gate around the pool. Install your swimming pool in the back yard, out of site of the street, and build a fence around it with a lockable gate to keep uninvited guests out and hide your pool from prying eyes, minimizing the chances of the neighborhood kids deciding to drop by for a dip.
2) Invest in a pool cover, which fits snugly across the pool’s surface. It should however be simple to remove in case anyone was to get caught underneath it.
3) If you are not keen on the idea of fencing around your pool, install a deck around it with wooden posts as part of the décor then link a net between the posts whenever the grandkids visit! It is easy to take down once your visitors have gone home.
4) Buy yourself a huge net that will scoop toys from the bottom of the pool. One of the main reasons kids fall into pools is when they try to retrieve a toy they have dropped into the water. Because they can see the bottom of the pool, they don’t think the water is deep and often think they can stretch their hand in and grab the toy.
5) Another way of shielding your pool from children who visit or live in your home is to install a pool enclosure which opens up when you want to swim in the sun, but can also be used when it is raining – it’s a bit like having your own indoor swimming baths.
6) Small Children do have ‘accidents’ and these sometimes occur in the pool, if this happens, you need to ‘evacuate’ and adjust the chemicals in the pool. Do not allow swimmers back in until the water returns to normal otherwise you could be facing an outbreak of e-coli.
7) If children are swimming or playing in the pool, ensure that a responsible adult supervises them and that they are aware that this is their role. Many adults think a cursory glance from heir holiday read will be enough, but accidents happen in split seconds and therefore proper supervision is required.
General Pool Safety
1) Keep an eye on the levels of chlorine in your pool. Too much will cause eyes to sting and if you or other swimmers have sensitive skin you could end up with burn marks.
2) The pool liner needs to be checked regularly to ensure that the water quality is up to scratch. Part of the liner’s job is to keep the pH level right and stop algae taking over your pool and causing the spread of infections. You should check your liner by focussing on the material looking for lines and blemishes.
3) Check regularly for loose or cracked tiles – particularly at the beginning of each season. These can cause some nasty cuts to unsuspecting swimmers, which can result in a trip to the local hospital.
4) Do not permit any guests to bathe whilst under the influence of alcohol particularly at night when there may be no-one round to help them should they run into difficulties.
5) Install lighting around your pool in case someone or something does fall in at night. At least this way you will be able to see exactly what you are dealing with.
6) Inform anyone with long hair to avoid the skimmers or water inlets on your pool as these can suck in the hair making it painful and difficult for the swimmer to free themselves.
Making absolutely sure that your swimming pool is both safe particularly where children are concerned and hygienic so that all swimmers are protected from illness caused from badly treated pool is imperative and an essential part of your responsibility as a pool owner.
It doesn’t matter whether you only have the occasional visitor; it is your duty to provide a clean and safe pool environment. Don't take risks with your own health and safety or that of others, keep your pool spotless and keep it safe.
