Entrapment dangers and how to avoid them
- September 6, 2013
- Pool Safety and Health,
The pool area of any home is meant to be a safe, relaxing oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the daily grind. A place where children can take a dip on the weekends or after school, and mom and dad can go to take their minds off of work. However, while pools are most often synonymous with “fun” and “merriment,” there are several risks that, when not controlled, could be extremely dangerous.
The threat of entrapment is often the most common and weighty, as children or even fully grown adults can get hair, body parts and other items stuck in the pool, causing drowning or another serious injury. No homeowner wants to imagine such tragedies happening in their own pool area, but need to take several steps to reduce the very real risks that come with these bodies of water.
Between awareness and several precautionary measures, pool dangers can be mitigated and avoided more often than not. The first step is to identify each risk and incorporate protections against them to ensure your Phoenix area pool is as safe as possible.
Suction drains
These are likely the most dangerous components of the pool, but are still necessary for built-in environments and some above-the-ground models. Suction drains in newer pools are typically much safer than those in older ones, but still pose a risk to children and adults of all sizes. Older pools most often had flat drain covers, where the water will stream out.
Because of how much water is exiting the pool through the drain and the power of the suction, the greatest risk is getting a limb, torso or even hair stuck in the equipment. In some instances, children have been held down by the powerful suction and eventually drowned or experienced other injuries. It’s not a pretty thing to think about, but can be avoided.
- Identify/Mark emergency cut off: Every pool that has a suction drain should absolutely have an emergency cut off. When the emergency power shutoff hasn’t been installed, you should call a professional to install one. After it has been identified, it should be clearly marked in plain site, as this will be crucial if and when someone gets stuck in the drain.
- Drain in working order: The quality and integrity of the pool’s equipment is critical to overall safety, both in terms of body damage and sanitation. Most experts would warn individuals to avoid swimming in pools which have loose, missing or broken suction fittings or drain covers.
- Mark all suction drains: No matter who is swimming in your pool, everyone should know exactly where all of the suction drains are located. Consider drawing out a diagram of the pool that includes the locations of each suction drain. Children should know to not swim or play anywhere near this equipment, and adults should be cautious when around the items.
Other safety tips
If you do not feel entirely comfortable with the safety of your pool, you should consider hiring a Phoenix pool service provider to come and evaluate the area. Professionals can identify more dangers than the average homeowner, and can take quick action to make the pool safer for children and adults. You should hire Poolman for the best outcomes.
For suction drains, pool service providers might suggest installing a safety vacuum release system, which will automatically cut the power if it senses something it blocking the drain.
Homeowners who have older pools should be especially interested in getting a safety evaluation from a certified professional. When it comes to the safety of family and friends, making the call is a small price to pay.
Additionally, always take a few minutes to speak to any visitors to your pool about safety before they jump in.