Doctor discusses swimming pool safety

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (WSVN) -- Experts are offering parents tips on pool safety as children enjoy summer vacation.

Broward County has one of the highest rates of drowning cases for children under the 5 in the US. Dr. Peter Aritevy of Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital said, "We are the worst county in Florida, and Florida is the worst state in the United States, so we are at the epicenter of drowning here in Southern Florida and Broward County."

In Nov. 2008, Glenda Robinson's son, Jeremy, nearly drowned. Jeremy was playing by a swimming pool one day when he fell into it. His older sister, Jasmine, discovered Jeremy in the pool. "By the time Jasmine found him, he was purple, so we don't know how long he had been face down in the pool," Robinson said. "My husband and his friend started CPR. Jasmine called 911. By the time she hung up, Pembroke Pines Police arrived, continued CPR."

Jeremy was then rushed to the emergency room. Dr. Aritevy said, "When they brought him to me in the ER, he wasn't really there. His heart was beating, thankfully."

"They said, there was nothing they could tell us except to continue praying, and so we did," Robinson said.

Doctors at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital helped save Jeremy's life. "He's one of those situations where we say, wow, it worked exactly how it was supposed to work," said Dr. Aritevy.

Robinson said, "He came through. As the night progressed, he became more awake, more alert, and he spent about a week in the hospital getting himself back together."

Robinson offered tips for preventing child drowning. "Never leave children unattended. Never take for granted sliding glass doors, locks, safety devices on the pool in terms of a fence. Swimming lessons, I mean, you can get them from when they're so young," she said.

Dr. Aritevy agreed. "If you have a pool, talk about the safety of that pool. Talk about what happens if someone does drown in your pool. Do you have the equipment there available to you? Are you CPR-certified?" he said.

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Why You Should Use a Swimming Pool Cover

The big question most pool owners have about swimming pool covers is whether it is actually necessary. Covers are used primarily to prevent leaves, bugs, branches and twigs from falling into your pool and creating more damage. This consideration alone prompts many pool owners to want a cover.

The most important consideration when you decide to buy your pool cover is the size. It must fit properly. You may be tempted to cut corners and buy a standard cover for your pool, but you will have less grief in the long run if you simply get a custom cover.

Your cover should be able to fit all the angles, steps, and other areas of your pool. Purchasing something standard that does not quite cover your pool defeats the purpose of protecting it. If any of the debris you are guarding against makes its way into your pool, you are faced with the same problems you would have faced initially with no cover.

Next, you will need to decide whether you want a safety cover, water bag cover or automatic cover.

Water bag covers give you an extra advantage because they use weighted bags to hold your swimming pool cover in place. This is an added security feature during heavy winds, rains and storms. Water bags are placed either inside the pool or on top of the cover and are about two or three feet apart.

Warranties will be an important consideration during your purchase. The time limit on most of them is about two years, but always read the fine print and know what the manufacturer covers.

Stitching is a strong determining factor for quality in pool covers. It should be more than 10 x 10 to meet the definition of “sturdy,” and it costs a little more than regular covers. You will not be able to prevent some winter damage to your cover. You can, however, cut down on the wind damage by placing a little bit of water atop the cover.

Swimming pool covers should be about four feet larger than the pool they intend to cover. The important thing is to make sure your pool is protected. Being preventive will save you a lot of headaches in the spring and summer when the heat returns.

The Swimming Pool Accessories Guide was established to help people learn about properly usage of swimming pool accessories.

By Tom Moseley

How to Install Solar Pool Covers

Solar pool covers use plastic bubbles to filter sunlight down into the water and warm it. That can save you a great deal of money on heating costs, as well as allowing you to enjoy nice, warm pool water without having to wait for the heat pump. Some solar pool covers utilize formal cranking mechanisms that allow your to unfurl it and reel it back in at a moment's notice. They're not required, however, and you can install a solar pool cover of your own with just a little bit of planning.

Step 1
Measure the size of your pool with a tape measure to determine what size pool cover you need. The cover needs to fit over the surface of the pool precisely, and in most cases must be cut to specification after you buy it. At this stage, you simply want accurate measurements for comparison purposes. If you have an abnormally shaped pool, don't panic. Simply measure it at its widest point and at its longest point; that's sufficient to determine the right size for your pool cover.
Step 2
Contact a pool supply store and see if you can purchase a solar pool cover that matches your specifications exactly. If you can't (and you often won't), then purchase one larger than what you require. You can then cut it to match your pool's size.
Step 3
Lay the pool cover flat across your pool--bubble-side down--taking care to smooth out any wrinkles or folds. Mark the location of the pool sides along the cover with a magic marker.
Step 4
Cut your pool cover to size with a pair of scissors, using the markings you have made as a guide. You want the cover to match your pool specifications exactly. A good rule of thumb is to make two series of cuts: the first one a "general" sizing, and the second a "trim" to make sure it all fits.
Step 5
Lay the re-cut pool cover across your pool. It won't sink, and the seal it makes with the water will help it to work its best.
Step 6
Stand on one end of the pool and pull a length of the cover measuring about 1 foot up onto the patio. Make a fold and pull another foot up, then fold it again and pull another foot up, and so on until the entire cover is up. This "accordion" folding takes up a minimum of space, and will allow you to quickly replace the cover across the pool when you're done swimming.

A Solar Pool Cover is the Way to Go

Why should you choose a swimming pool solar cover over the other types of ... Unlike other pool covers, the swimming pool solar cover simply ...

After all, covers help keep your swimming pool free of debris, trash, mildew, etc. It can help keep your pool safe for children who might be playing near it (kids do not always watch where they are going - you don't want anyone to fall in!) and can help reduce your maintenance and energy costs.
Without a cover, water will evaporate from your pool which can throw off the chlorine balance and reduce your pool's temperature by quite a lot! Now that you know how important it is to keep your pool covered - what kind of cover should you choose? There are many different kinds of pool covers available - you might even find that you want a solar cover!
Why should you choose a swimming pool solar cover over the other types of covers for swimming pools that are available? Why is a solar pool cover so special?
The main reason that swimming pool owners choose the solar pool cover over other types of pool covers is the amount of money it saves them in heating costs for their pool. The basic type of solar pool cover sits on top of the swimming pool and simply keeps the water from evaporating and keeps the heat of the pool contained. With the cover in place, the heat cannot dissipate into the cooler air surrounding the pool because the solar pool cover is too thick.
There is also a second type of swimming pool solar cover that has bubbles in it (some people say that it reminds them of a big sheet of bubble wrap). The bubbles absorb heat from sunlight and then transfer that heat into the pool's water. This can raise the temperature of the swimming pool by as much as fifteen degrees!
The solar pool cover, however, is a little bit harder to store and deal with than other types of swimming pool covers. Unlike other pool covers, the swimming pool solar cover simply floats on top of the water. It is not anchored or tied down in any way, which is why some companies call their solar covers, "solar blankets." Depending on the size of your pool, taking the pool cover off of the pool can be quite a challenge if you do not have help! Some owners roll their covers up on a type of spindle, while others simply struggle with folding the enormous wet blanket.
Whichever type of solar pool cover you choose, remember that you need to be diligent about keeping your pool covered while you are not using it. Covering your pool saves you money and time and helps maintain the structural integrity of the swimming pool itself. Your solar pool cover will keep out trash and debris and help maintain the water temperature, no matter what time of year it might happen to be!
Pieter West travels the world on a regular basis and have written about numerous subjects. He has an extensive knowledge about, finances, DIY, parenting advice and many more subjects.

All About How To Use Solar Pool Covers

Heating your pool is easy and cheap with solar pool covers. Find out how to purchase and use one on your pool all season to keep your swimming pool at the perfect temperature with or without a gas heater.
What are Solar Covers for pools?
Solar covers are also know as solar blankets or summer covers. During the year swimming pools are left exposed to nature's elements and it's temperature changes. Solar covers are lightweight covers that you can place over your swimming pool to keep your pool's temperature warm. A bonus feature for solar covers is that they will help keep out unwanted debris that may fall in your pool during the day. But the main purpose is to keep your pool warm and help it to get there.
How Do Solar Blankets work?
Contrary to popular belief a solar cover does not heat your pool. It does however help attract sunlight due to their dark color but what they really do is stop heat loss from water evaporation. During the day the sun is hot and the air is warm and this contributes to your pool getting warmer, unfortunately at night (when it gets cooler) all that heat that your pool gained during the day is lost. A solar cover stops that heat from escaping your pool at night or on cold rainy days.
The Benefits of A Solar Swimming Pool Cover
Well as we talked about the best thing about a solar pool cover is the fact that it helps to keep heat in your pool. Some other benefits are the price. Solar covers are a very inexpensive way to control the temperature in your swimming pool. Another benefit is they are light and easy to take on and off your pool. If you pool is big you may want to invest in a swimming pool cover reel to make this process even easier.

Quick Tip: Even if you have a gas, electric or solar heater attached to your pool, using a solar pool cover is a great way to keep your utility cost down because it will allow you to maintain the heat you initially pump into your pool for a long time.

Solar Swimming Pool Covers Are Green - Save Green

Now that spring has sprung, and the weather is becoming warm and sunny once again, many homeowners who are fortunate enough to have pools are eager to get them prepared for use. If you have a pool, are you aware of solar swimming pool covers? Did you know that using these pool covers will enable you to use your pool both earlier and later in the swimming season? Not only is there that fun possibility, you can also take advantage of a very plentiful natural source of energy in sunlight to keep your pool warmer. You can also join the ranks of the those who are going green, and truly be more eco-friendly at the same you are being more economical! How amazing that all of this can come through the simple acquisition of a solar pool cover. Why not learn more about them and find the one which will be best for your pool? To help you out, here are answers to some frequently asked questions.
Why Should I Have a Pool Cover?
They are the best, most effective manner of lowering pool heating costs. Having a pool cover drastically shaves heating losses through evaporation, because the pool cover creates a barrier between air and water. So not only will this save heat loss and make your pool warmer, but will save water, as well. You will have a cleaner, warmer, more eco-friendly pool.
What Are Pool Covers Made Out Of?
They are constructed using a special UV-stabilized polyethylene, polypropylene, or vinyl material designed in a way that makes them wear-resistant. Solar covers are designed somewhat similarly to plastic bubble wrap, resembling material used in packaging. The plastic is a thicker type of plastic with UV-resisting components in it.
Vinyl is a more heavy, durable material. Vinyl covers tend to last longer. Insulated vinyl covers come with a thin lining of insulation placed between two panels of vinyl.
How Do They Work?
There is an efficient network of plastic and air bubbles. These absorb heat from the sun and then transfer it through the bottom layer of the cover. The bottom layer also acts as a one way barrier; after it allows the heat from outside in, it keep the heat trapped inside. This first warms the water and then keeps it warm.
What Climate is Best to Use Them In?
Generally, they are most cost-efficient and useful in dry and windy conditions. These are conditions which lead to increased evaporation. Having a pool cover, especially a solar pool cover, will create a more humid environment over the pool’s water surface, decreasing evaporation and vapor losses. Of course, pools and more pool covers are more practical in sunnier, hotter places!
When is The Best Time of Year to Use Them?
They can be used at any time of the year, especially in places where it is warmer all year. In climate areas where there are hot summer, but cooler springs and autumns, they will lengthen the swimming season by weeks or maybe even by months.
Are They Really Cost-Efficient?
Most definitely! They will let you use your pool longer, which means you are getting more use of the money it cost to put it in in the first place. You will save on the cost of heating the water, as the cover will keep heat in and the water will be warmer. This will lessen the cost of electricity you might be using to run a pool heater, because the heater will have less work to do to warm the water. (hint - think about using solar heaters if you feel it is important to have a heater also!) You might not even need a heater.
And because you will lose less water to evaporation, you will not need to replenish the water in your pool as often, either.
Both of these will save you money, and make your solar cover cost-efficient.
You will also save money on cleaning chemicals, as your cover will keep out debris, and reduce the amount of cleaning that needs to be done.
Are They Difficult to Use?
Not at all. You can have reels that roll them up when you want to uncover the pool. Simply crank the handle and the cover rolls up, and then back out when you are not using the pool. There are also automatic covers, which will will roll up or out with the push of a button.
What About Maintaining The Cover?

Solar Pool Covers - Are They Worth It?

Most Published EzineArticles in the Home-Improvement:Swimming-Pools-Spas Category. Top 5 Mistakes Pool Owners Make • Solar Pool Covers - They Pay For ...
Do solar pool covers really work? Well yes they do, however conditions must be right for a solar pool cover to be effective. Solar pool covers, also called solar blankets, absorb sunlight and thus transfer the heat to the pool water.
Solar blankets are tinted blue with air pockets that are designed for maximum absorption of sunlight. If you get at least five hours of sunlight on your pool per day, you will receive a benefit from your solar pool cover. In fact, your water will heat as much as 1° per day! Another reason solar blankets are so effective is that they also help to trap heat in the pool water at night when it is cool. And not only does it trap heat but it also will aid in keeping your pool chemicals from evaporating out. If you are using a pool heater, you can expect to cut your bill in half with a solar pool cover.
So, all this sounds so incredible, then why doesn't every pool owner have a solar blanket? Well, the honest answer is that many pool owners do not want to trudge out to the pool and crank the solar cover on and off every day. People want to enjoy their pools, not add to their chore list. Keeping a pool clean is enough maintenance for most pool owners, so absorbing the extra cost of not having a solar cover is an acceptable trade-off. However, in these economic times it is looking more and more tempting to save on pool heating costs.
A solar cover reel makes the job much easier, and you can even get an automatic reel that you can hook up to your water hose, making the work involved very minimal. The only trade-off is the initial cost of the solar cover and reel, and perhaps the space the cover and reel will take up in your yard.
Find the best deals on solar cover reels

Do it Yourself Fiberglass Swimming Pool Installation

Most Published EzineArticles in the Home-Improvement:Swimming-Pools-Spas Category. Solar Pool Covers - Are They Worth It? ...

The wheel hasn't been redesigned or reinvented here but it does help when you have someone on your side to help you do it yourself when it comes to swimming pools. First things first, do your research on what's the best Fiberglass Swimming Pool for you and your family. Then determine if you can find that pool at a factory as close to you as possible (drop yards don't count / read why in previous articles).
Okay, so you've done some homework by now. Hopefully you have determined what you want to buy and whether or not your local permitting office will allow that swimming pool to be installed at your particular residence. Now what? Some factories say they will sell factory direct but ultimately want to see you hire a professional swimming pool contractor to have the shell installed. As you can expect, the factory has a list of those professionals they want you to use within arm's reach. Keep in mind that many factories won't honor their own warranty if you truly Do-It-Yourself, so consider the alternatives before moving forward.
You have to know quite a bit when it comes to installing a fiberglass swimming pool. There are a lot of tricks that are hard to describe and quite frankly I don't know if I've ever seen them online either written or photographed. You certainly need to have the confidence to perform this task on your own or at least have the gumption to know who to turn to when you need something. Here are a few examples of sub-contractors and suppliers typically used in a fiberglass swimming pool installation:
1. Excavator / preferably one with his own dump trucks to haul away your extra dirt.
2. Sand or stone yards for floor preparation
3. Crane or boom truck to hoist the pool into position. Need 10,000# straps and chains + spreader bars if your swimming pool is more than 14' wide.
4. Electrician familiar with pool bonding. Check with your permit office and check up on your local requirements thoroughly.
5. Bob Cat or what I call a skid steer to help you back fill your Over Dig.
6. Cement contractor / preferably one that is experienced with swimming pools. They have the most experience in pouring cantilevers and knowing how far back your hand rail or ladder anchors need to be installed.
7. Landscaper to perform final grade if needed. They usually have a Harley Rake which will do the best job.
8. Last but not least, the fence contractor. FENCES ARE MADE TO KEEP YOUR POOL SAFE! Not to annoy you, but do not try to skimp on safety when it comes to your new swimming pool.
Now if you know who's who in the contracting world and all of the above mentioned sounds like perfectly clear English to you then you shouldn't have a problem moving forward with a little bit of guidance. But where are you going to obtain this guidance? Most swimming pool contractors aren't set up for Factory Direct Programs nor do they want you to do it yourself, that's what they are in business for. But if you look hard, there are a few and this is where we come in to play. With a properly placed factory direct program you can cut the middle man out of everything. If you play your cards right you can even purchase your swimming pool equipment at wholesale.
Factory Direct Fiberglass Swimming Pools are the best of the best in our opinion. They are the "Having Your Cake and Eating It To" of swimming pools and we at Cool Pools strive to deliver the very best. Whether you want your swimming pool professionally installed or would like to take the Factory Direct Swimming Pool challenge, Cool Pools is here to help. Learn how you can purchase your swimming pool factory direct by clicking the link above. When contacting us, don't forget to ask how you can obtain your pool equipment at wholesale pricing.
Cool Pools Inc. is a Virginia based premier inground swimming pool construction company. Over the years Cool Pools has constructed and installed fiberglass and vinyl liner swimming pools with an emphasis on one piece fiberglass swimming pools manufactured by Blue Hawaiian Fiberglass Swimming Pools. Our product line has offered our clients the best product for their money along with some of the finest customer support. In late 2008, Cool Pools stretched its construction division to cover parts of north east North Carolina and western Virginia. With the accessibility to one of the nations leading fiberglass swimming pool lines, we have found our five day construction process attracting clients from all across the country.
If you have more questions about this article or swimming pools in general, please feel free to contact us at Cool Pools.

All About Todays Above Ground Pool

If you are like so many other people today that are finding it harder and harder to rationalize the purchase of of a cement ingound pool then you may be surprised when you see all of the affordable options in todays above ground pool. To start with, you can have an above ground pool installed in ground now, complete with a deep end and diving board.

The Total Look at an Affordable Price

Also add to that a broad assortment of amazing new decorative above ground pool liners to chose from as well as complete prefabricated natural wood decks for a total look that is simply astounding. Of course affordability is something that an above ground pool will always have to offer and this will never change.

Super Affordable Pool Accessories

Even pool accessories that have always been so expensive in the past are now super easy to afford. Did you know that there are now fantastic and fun floating inflatable pool slides that can now be purchased for as little as a couple of hundred dollars?

Install Your Above Ground Pool Yourself

Todays above ground pool is also even easier to install. In fact, believe it or not if you have a few basic tools on hand and someone to help you can even install your own above ground pool for even greater savings.

No Contractor or Torn Up Yard

No having to deal with a contractor. No torn up yard for months on end. No heavy maintenance and everything that you need and want in a pool for a fraction of the cost. Also, unlike a cement built in you can dismantle todays above ground pool and take it with you when you move.

Complete Packages Include Everything

Todays above ground pool manufacturers and marketers make it all too easy as well with easy financing and complete pool packages that completely eliminate all of the headaches of having a pool installed. In fact, todays complete above ground pool packages come with everything that you will need including the filter, pump and all of the plumbing.

Swimming Pool Solar Blankets

Article describes how solar pool blankets can be used to save money on pool heating. A quality solar pool blanket can lower heating costs for gas and electric heaters by as much as 70 percent. Solar swimming pool blankets use the sun's rays to heat swimming pool water.
With the arrival of warmer weather comes anticipation of the upcoming outdoor swimming season. Pool owners of all ages and in all parts of the country look forward to taking that first dip. However, heating a swimming pool to a comfortable level takes time and energy, often postponing the season's first swim longer than most pool owners would like. Fortunately, simply by using a solar pool blanket, you can open your pool earlier in the season. Not only that, swimming pool solar blankets also save significant amounts of money on pool heating. Offering such outstanding benefits, solar pool covers are an excellent addition to any outdoor swimming pool.

As their name suggests, solar pool blankets use the sun's rays to heat swimming pool water. These pool blankets also act as insulators, preventing heat that is already in the water from escaping. As a result, swimming pool solar blankets both heat and maintain the temperature of pool water. In fact, solar swimming pool covers can raise the temperature of pool water by 10 to 15 degrees. This is why these insulating blankets allow for earlier pool openings and also extend the swimming season at the end of the summer.

Swimming pool solar blankets are made of plastic and are covered with air bubbles, giving them an appearance similar to that of bubble wrap. Sunlight is able to pass through these thermal sheets, causing the pool water to heat up. However, the air bubbles along with the thickness of the blanket's plastic create an insulating effect, trapping the heat in the water and preventing the warmth from escaping back out into the air. These insulating properties also greatly reduce the evaporation of water and chemicals from swimming pools. Since evaporation is a major cause of heat loss from swimming pools, solar pool blankets can make a significant difference with regards to heat retention.

Naturally, since solar pool covers are so effective at gathering and retaining heat in the water, they allow pool owners to enjoy significant savings with respect to heating and maintenance costs. Since swimming pool solar blankets can increase pool temperatures by up to 10 to 15 degrees, comfortable water temperatures can be maintained without running pool heaters nearly as often. In fact, a quality solar pool blanket can lower heating costs for gas and electric heaters by as much as 70 percent. Also, since these pool blankets prevent the evaporation of chemicals from the water, it's easier to maintain stable chemical concentrations for a healthy and sanitary swimming environment. When pool heaters are run less frequently and smaller amounts of chemicals are required to keep the water safe, money savings are sure to follow.

With a variety of different types of solar pool blankets available on the market, these covers can be used for swimming pools of all different types, shapes and sizes. As a leading direct source of quality pool supplies, Intheswim.com offers several types of solar pool covers, including above ground pool solar blankets and in-ground solar pool blankets. For kidney-shaped swimming pools or pools with unusual configurations, solar covers can simply be trimmed with scissors in order to fit a particular pool exactly. By making sure that the blanket fits snugly against the pool walls, heat retention will be optimized.

Amongst Intheswim.com's selection of above ground pool solar blankets and in-ground solar pool blankets, different classes of these covers are available. From the Standard series to the Diamond series, all solar pool blankets available from Intheswim.com are made from high-quality material and provide excellent heating and insulation. The diamond series blankets also feature additional thickness for increased durability and enhanced heat transfer. Moreover, with a unique hexagon design of the air bubbles, the space between air pockets is reduced, further increasing the blanket's ability to transfer and retain heat.

No matter what type of solar cover pool owners choose to purchase, it's important to lay the blanket out for a few days prior to trimming it to the desired shape and size. This will provide time for any folds to smooth out and for the cover to shrink or expand from exposure to sunlight. Once the pool blanket is ready for use, it should be placed over the water with the smooth side up. This way, the surface area for transference of heat from the sun is maximized and the air bubbles will provide a layer of insulation over the water.

While solar swimming pool covers offer so many incredible benefits, they are also affordable. With low prices and fast, free shipping from Intheswim.com, pool owners can start enjoying great savings and longer swimming seasons right away. So for earlier pool openings, longer swimming seasons and significant savings on heating costs, consider taking the plunge and purchasing a solar blanket for your in-ground or above ground swimming pool.

James Claypool is experienced specialist in pool supplies. He explains how solar pool blankets can be used to save money on pool heating. A quality solar pool blanket can lower heating costs for gas and electric heaters by as much as 70 percent.