Pool Safety

Poolside fun and safety should always go hand in hand. That's why Pinch A Penny carries the widest assortment of pool safety products you'll find anywhere - everything from alarms and Coast Guard-approved buoys to pool and spa covers and life preservers. While nothing can replace adult supervision, these products will help you feel secure in the fact that you've made your pool a safe haven for the whole family.

We also offer a pool safety product that can be worn on a child's wrist. Should he or she fall into the pool, a loud alarm sounds at the base station.

We offer in-ground and above-ground swimming pool alarms that hang over the side of the pool and sound an alarm if an object as light as 15 pounds falls in. We also offer door and gate alarms that will let you know if an entryway is opened by a little one, or if an entry has been left open by accident.

Whatever you need to make your pool its safest can be found at your neighborhood Pinch A Penny. Just ask one of our pool care experts which system is best for you.

Make safety a family affair.

While the safeguards listed on the previous page are crucial to pool safety, they are never a good substitute for supervision. Make sure your children follow the Buddy System and never swim without a partner. Here are some other important tips to follow:

1. No matter what the age of a child, adult supervision can help avoid injuries due to rough play or when children become tired.
2. Always maintain visual contact when children are swimming.
3. Get out of the water immediately if a storm approaches.
4. Keep a shepherd's crook (like lifeguards use) and hard foam life preserver nearby in case of emergency.
5. Use floating markers to indicate where shallow water begins to deepen.
6. Use depth markings to clearly indicate the depth of the water.
7. Make sure at least one family member is CPR certified.
8. Fence in any pool area, and keep gates locked.
9. We always recommend using pool, door and gate alarms to help provide an early warning of any unexpected entry into the pool. This is a simple additional safeguard to employ even if your pool has a safety barrier.
10. Keep your pool chemicals in a locked chemical storage area away from the water.
11. Keep a cordless phone with you poolside at all times.

Handle swimming pool with care.

One of the most important, yet often overlooked things to remember about pool safety is how you handle chemicals. So here are some tips to help prevent chemical accidents:

1. When adding more than one chemical to your pool, always add them to the water separately. Mixing chemicals can result in dangerous reactions. Remember to always follow the label instructions on each chemical bottle, bucket or bag before use.
2. Keep chemicals out of children's reach.
3. Never overdose your pool. The theory that if a little is good, then a lot is better simply doesn't apply to pool care.
4. If instructed to mix a chemical in a bucket of water prior to adding it to your pool, always add the chemical to the bucket of water, not the other way around. Again, remember to follow the label instructions on each chemical bottle, bucket or bag before use.
5. Use a clean, dry scoop or measuring cup when measuring chemicals. Interchanging scoops or using a wet scoop can be dangerous.
6. Avoid breathing fumes or rubbing your eyes, nose or mouth when handling chemicals. When opening, turn your head away from the container.
7. When spills happen, clean them as soon as they occur and dispose of all chemicals safely. Most small spills can simply be diluted in pool water. Never, ever use a vacuum to clean up spills.
8. Don't smoke around chemicals. Some fumes and chemicals are highly flammable.
9. Store chemicals properly. Always keep them closed when not in use, as some are corrosive and should never be stored near metal items like bicycles, lawn mowers or cars.
10. The rules for handling biguanicide-based chlorine alternatives are even more rigid than using chlorine itself. Be sure to read the packages and containers thoroughly before use.