Drowning, illness, and injuries involving pools, Jacuzzis, and portable spas can be a serious risk if you don't take the necessary prevention measures. Water related accidents are the fourth leading cause of accidental death in the United States killing 4,000 every year. One third of those deaths are children under the age of 14. An estimated 16,000 children are hospitalized due to a water accident of some kind. This doesn't include the many illnesses associated with this favorite summer activity.

Waterborne Germs And Bacteria Leading To Illness

Environmental Health officials warn the public regularly to be vigilant in preventing germs in bacteria in their own private pools and portable spas. The greatest cause of breeding bacteria is the result of not adding enough chlorine and treatment chemicals. These waterborne germs and bacteria can lead to numerous illnesses, rashes, bacteria, and germs.

The good news is that keeping your pool and spa water healthy is quite simple. Experts urge families to take water quality into their own hands by purchasing simple test kits and checking all water before climbing in.

Proper Safety For In-Ground And Portable Spas

People often make the mistake of chalking water-related deaths up to inattentive guardians. This is not entirely true. 19% of drowning happens while there is a lifeguard present. Approximately 70% of deaths occur with one or two parents present, and 75% of those happen in less than five minutes.

Most deaths happen because of a lack of safety features. Pool alarms are an important accessory that should absolutely be installed if you have children. Most pool alarms mount directly onto the side of the pool and overlap onto the cover. If someone moves the cover without disarming it first, the pool alarms let off a warning. If the child happens to fall in, the parent or guardian knows what's happened and exactly where to look.

Other pool alarms to consider include those that are installed on the entry gate to the pool. Padlock style warning systems are ideal for spa covers as well, as they prevent the top from being opened without a key and give off a shrill warning if by chance it is removed.

Covers And Blankets

Accessories such as covers and solar blankets are great for keeping out the bugs and keeping water warm. Unfortunately, they also cause a large number of deaths. Most accidents happen when the individual falls in while trying to remove the cover and become trapped underneath. If you must have a soft pool cover, limiting access to the area lowers the risk of this happening significantly. It is also important to have someone else with you when removing these protective covers.

Water safety and items such as pool alarms should never be taken lightly whether you are at a large public pool or enjoying the convenience of portable spas. These rules only add a few minutes to your routine and ensure many happy, healthy years with your pool or spa.