Protect your Family: 4 Ways to Make Backyard Pools in Kelowna Safer
By taking these safety measures for backyard pools in Kelowna, you can help protect your family members
Those who live in the Okanagan know that temperatures can reach up to a sweltering 35 degrees Celsius in the heat of summer. If your kids are cooped up inside this summer and desperate to go out, but the beach is out of the question, backyard or private pools in Kelowna can be a saving grace.
However, it’s important that every safety measure is taken to protect your children, visitors, and even your pets from any hazards that can occur in a backyard or private pool. Safety barriers can provide a deterrent, but there is no better way to ensure safety than to always be at arm’s length of small children in the water.
Always provide constant supervision.
Here are some other ways to make backyard pools in Kelowna safer:
1. Install barriers
Preventing any access to the water is imperative, especially if you have a wandering toddler. The best way to do this is by installing four-sided fencing and self-closing gates with safety latches around your pool so that young children, and even family pets, cannot get near the water without supervision. Fencing and locked gates can also prevent unwanted visitors from accessing your pool easily. If this wasn't done with your pool installation, Kelowna has a wealth of general contractors who will be able to help.
2. Covering Kelowna Pools
Those standard solar bubble covers are great for retaining heat and chemicals, but they do not help make your pool safe. That’s where power and safety covers come in.
A power cover can be fitted on both existing or new Kelowna pool installations. They can be automatically closed to seal your pool tightly, providing extra security when it’s not being used.
Both mesh and solid safety covers, made of materials such as vinyl, can also be manually anchored on the deck of an in-ground pool or strapped to the sides of an above-ground pool. The tight fit around the perimeter of the pool prevents not only children from accidentally falling in, but also pets and wildlife.
3. Invest in safety equipment
Backyard and private pools in Kelowna should have the same kind of safety equipment as public pools. Smaller children and those who are weaker swimmers should always have lifejackets or swim vests available to them. Arm floats, pool noodles and flotation boards do not provide a safe alternative in the water.
A lifesaver with a rope and/or a shepherd’s hook are two other pieces of safety equipment to keep alongside your pool deck in case of emergencies. Alarms that alert homeowners when someone has entered their pool are another way to ensure safety.
4. Make your outdoor deck slip resistant
Not only can the water in your pool be a danger, so can the surface of your deck. To prevent any mishaps, such as falls, it’s best to install slip resistant decks and walkways around backyard or private pools in Kelowna.
Some non-slip materials available to decks Kelowna homeowners can have installed include:
- concrete
- vinyl
- pavers
- composite (plastic)
- PVC
Rubberized coatings and specialty matting is another way to prevent a slippery surface if your outdoor deck has already been built.
For more information, read our blog on Getting the Most of Kelowna Pools, In or Out of the Sun.
Rafter 4K Contracting is one of the pool companies Kelowna trusts to install fencing, power covers, safety covers, and slip-resistant decks to make all pools safe for family members and visitors. Contact us for a free expert consultation or quote on any of your pool construction needs.
