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About-the-House

It’s pooltime!

Break out the sunscreen, it’s summertime in the Okanagan, and yes, that means it’s time to sit poolside.

Backyard pools can provide hours of entertainment throughout the hot summer months. As entertaining and fun as it can be, it can also be dangerous. Tragically most drownings and injuries that occur in backyard pools involve children and young adults.

These tragedies can be avoided by remembering some simple guidelines:

  • The pool rules! Inform anyone using your pool about the rules.
  • Always supervise all pool users at all times.
  • Use personal flotation devices (PFD’S).
  • Encourage feet first entries and no diving.
  • No one should ever dive into an above ground pool.
  • Always ensure that you have safety equipment nearby.

Don’t forget, if you have a pool, you need a fence. The City of Kelowna has specific requirements regarding height, placement and locking gates. Why you may ask? Well common sense aside, let a toddler/small child loose in your yard. Enough said. Remember, preventing access to your pool could save a life. Check the local bylaws, I’m sure it’s pretty much similar throughout the Okanagan.

In an effort to reduce drownings and to create greater safety awareness with pool owners, safety standards/policies should be incorporated into backyard swimming pools. But really, swimming lessons or competent swimmers should not deter any pool owner from ensuring vigilant and constant supervision. Even the best of swimmers can have difficulty and may be in need of assistance.

What about Fido? Should your dog get in for a dip, most filters will clean up any loose fur that gets in there, so that’s not a concern. But even though dogs are pretty natural swimmers, make sure they are familiar with the pool, and where the best place to exit the pool is. This will not only make it easier for them, it can prevent accidental damage to the liner.

Safety aside, it’s important to keep up the maintenance on your pool. Did you check the liner before opening it up for the season? What about all the fittings? It may sound daft, but conditions may have changed since last year’s shutdown which could lead to costly repairs down the road.

It’s going to be a beautiful summer, let’s keep it safe and fun for everyone.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.



More About the House articles

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About the Author

When you need advice or guidance with DIY home improvement and repairs, Hugh Cairns can help you with the answers.

Home improvements can be rewarding, turn your home into a nicer more comfortable place to live, and increase its value.

Whether you are renovating your kitchen, converting a loft, giving a room a lick of paint or making improvements to your home’s energy efficiency, this column is here to guide you with useful information and key things to remember.

Do you have a renovation question or concern? Please feel free to send Hugh your questions. Contact him through www.subject2homeinspections.com



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The views expressed are strictly those of the author and not necessarily those of Castanet. Castanet does not warrant the contents.

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