When it’s time to close your swimming pool down for the cold winter months there are some specific tasks you should take care of. The winter here in Ontario usually provides several additional pool hazards due to the snow, slippery ice, and freezing temperatures. Because of this it’s recommended that you make sure your swimming pool and surrounding area is as safe as can be, especially if you have children and/or pets. These are some chores that you should add to your winter pool safety checklist.
Educate your children
All swimming pool owners should make sure their children are properly educated when it comes to the dangers of a pool. Children need to know that the pool itself and the surrounding environment can be very dangerous if not treated with respect. There are numerous things that make a swimming pool a hazardous area and youngsters need to learn this as soon as the pool has been put in. One of the best ways to help keep your children safe around the pool is to teach them how to swim just in case an unfortunate accident does happen.
Put everything away
Since your pool’s going to be out of use for a few months there’s no need for accessories and toys to be left out. These objects can cause unnecessary clutter, which can result in dangerous situations if people happen to trip over them. In fact, it’s a good idea to put these items away all year long to make sure your pool area is as clear as possible.
Winterize the pool
To keep it clean and avoid any problems when you open the pool next spring you should really consider properly winterizing your pool to make sure the freezing water doesn’t cause any damage. This means you should drain some of the water, blow out the plumbing lines, plug the returns, drain the filter, pump and chemical-feeding equipment, and put away the diving board and slide etc. But even though the pool won’t be full it’s still dangerous for somebody to fall into it. Make sure you cordon it off properly to help keep children and pets away from danger.
Cover the pool
When you’re not using the swimming pool it should always be covered, especially an inground pool during the winter. A strong winter safety cover should be attached over the pool. Make sure it covers the entire pool so it will be impossible for a child or animal to slip underneath it. Safety covers should be considered as essential pieces of equipment when you close the pool for the winter. In addition, to make sure they’re doing their job properly you should inspect the cover each year for holes or rips. These can often be caused by falling tree branches, a buildup of heavy snow or jagged ice. There are several types of safety covers to choose from such as mesh and solid vinyl. It’s important to understand that no matter what type of pool cover you go with you should never walk on it since you could go right through it.
Fence in the immediate pool area
Most communities in Ontario have bylaws which force swimming pool owners to erect fences around their property. This is to keep intruders at bay and to maintain a safe area for children and pets. However, this doesn’t really address the situation of wandering children and pets in the backyard. If you have small children you may want to protect them by erecting a fence around the immediate pool area and make sure that it’s strong and secure. You can do this by putting up a removable fence while your pool is out of commission for the winter. These fences can typically be erected and taken down in about 30 minutes and are designed to give you a clear view of the pool. There are several types of removable pool fences on the market.
Have questions about keeping your pool safe during a cold, harsh Canadian winter? Contact us today or visit one of our many pool and spa locations across Ontario.
