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Making Your Swimming Pool Safe

April 26th, 2011

The first step to being sure your pool is safe for everyone to swim in is to be sure and always have an adult around to be sure everyone is being safe. The biggest mistake that a pool owner can make is to leave children unattended while swimming. Many accidents, that have happened, could have been avoided with a little extra supervision around. You may also consider to always having someone who is trained in CPR around while children are swimming. This is a vital skill to acquire, especially if you have small children swimming in your pool. Even if the children are just playing in the backyard and not swimming, supervision is a must when there is a pool around. The practice of having a phone close by the pool is always a good idea as well. This would come in handy in case of a real emergency.

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Cool Pool Toys

January 5th, 2011

The type of toys you get will also depend on what ages the people playing them will be. You will always want to check the age level on your toys and make sure they are safe for your children. Playing by the pool can be fun and enjoyable just make sure that safety always comes first. You can get toys for just one person or for small and large groups.

For large groups you can enjoy a fun game of volleyball. You will also enjoy a game of basketball with a large group. You will have a hard time doing this if you are not a good swimmer or if you can not jump very well. If you have a large range of ages you will definitely want to stick with volleyball. This game is suited more for all ages than basketball. If you are playing with a bunch of teenagers then you could go with basketball. Both of these games are fun and can be enjoyed for hours if you wanted to.
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Sunscreen for Kids: A Guide

June 23rd, 2010

There are many different types of sunscreen out there for kids. Before you choose which kind you want to use ask yourself a few questions.

What activities will you be doing while wearing sunscreen?
Which kind is easiest to apply and re-apply?
Are you using it on your face or body?
Which feels the most comfortable on your skin?
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Tips on Keeping a Pool Clean

May 31st, 2010

Most of us would love to just hire a professional to keep our pool clean, but for most of us that is way too expensive. So this leaves us with no other option then to keep it clean on our own. While this is not the easiest job it is not the most difficult in the world. So I will list a few tips to help the average person to keep their pool nice and clean for the life of your pool.
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The Exercise Benefits of Swimming

May 24th, 2010

Swimming can be a good way to achieve and maintain all around fitness. By swimming you are using all the muscle groups and is an especially good way to exercise because your body weight is totally supported by water. In return it reduces the strain or damage on muscles and joints. Because of this it is an activity that can be enjoyed by elderly as well as people with back problems as well as other physical conditions. Ideally you would need to swim for 10 minutes at a fast speed to receive any benefit and 30 minutes continuously at a good pace three times a week to get in good physical condition. However if you can just do this 2 times a week you will still see a difference. You will see more tone and better posture and flexibility. After a few weeks you should notice a difference in your stomach and shoulder muscles.
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What is the Ideal Temperature for a Swimming Pool?

August 10th, 2009

Does there happen to be an ideal temperature for a swimming pool? It would mostly depend upon the area you live in and what type of temperature range you are most comfortable with.  However, there are also temperatures that most people are comfortable with and the range is generally between 72-83 degree Fahrenheit, though some people prefer a cooler or warmer temperature for their own personal preference.

For those who have an outdoor swimming pool, the ideal temperature range will vary considerably and go according to the outdoor temperature.  There will be no need to add a swimming pool heater because it will serve no constructive purpose.  However, some homeowners add a swimming pool heater if they live in an area that experiences evening and nighttime temperature fluctuations.  It depends upon whether or not the homeowner prefers to swim in the evening and wants to adjust the water temperature to suit their comfort level.

It is important to keep in mind that adding an outdoor swimming pool heater will also affect maintenance responsibilities.  At higher temperatures, a swimming pool will experience water evaporation at a much higher rate and this also equates to a larger buildup of solid deposits.  Having a higher water temperature can also lead to sanitizer burning off more quickly and algae and bacteria also build up more quickly in warmer temperatures.  There is more lime and scale build-up as well and exercising in warmer water is not as comfortable in the high heat.

Even without manually adjusting temperatures in the swimming pool which will affect the water.  A person may need to adjust the pH factor and alkalinity levels to compensate for differences in the saturation level of the swimming pool.  When the weather gets colder, increasing the alkaline levels in the swimming pool will help maintain the saturation index.  In warmer weather, reducing the alkaline level in the swimming pool will help keep the saturation levels consistent.

Whether or not there is actually an ideal swimming pool temperature remains a matter of perspective.  While some people prefer their swimming pool water to be ice-cold, others prefer a warmer, more soothing temperature for their pool.  Whatever is decided, is a matter of personal preference and will allow a person to enjoy their swimming pool and all it has to offer.

Is an Indoor Swimming Pool Hazardous to Your Health?

August 3rd, 2009

In 2003, there were several research studies that identified a connection between lung problems and indoor swimming pools.  For adults and children who spend a lot of time around an indoor swimming pool, the study showed an increase in rates of asthma.  Some medical researchers even believe that the increase of childhood asthma rates is directly related to indoor swimming pools.

What particularly is in the air around an indoor swimming pool that causes people to experience asthma attacks?  The culprit is believed to be nitrogen trichloride which forms from sweat, body oils and other airborne contaminants encounter chlorine.  This is why it is important to check and manage pool chlorine levels on a regular basis.  Other trichlorides or tribromines have been directly linked to chronic lung problems.

Installing a chlorine salt system can help alleviate the need to constantly monitor swimming pool chemicals.  A salt system will make the water have a slight smell and taste salty, but not like ocean water.  Making sure the swimming pool chemical levels are maintained properly goes a long way into protecting people against the airborne particles that cause chronic lung irritation.

Whenever possible avoid indoor swimming pools which use a standard chlorination system.  Make sure the indoor swimming pool is well ventilated and has sufficient pumps and filters and that hygiene rules are strictly observed.  If you notice‘chlorine’ smells around the pool, consider switching swimming pools if possible to avoid exposure to nitrogen trichloride.

The good news about exposure to nitrogen trichloride is that it is completely reversible and the damage can be undone.  Many people who once swam at indoor swimming pools find that when switching to an outdoor swimming pool they experience a decrease in lung discomfort and inflammation.  Taking all things into consideration allows a person to minimize exposure to potential airborne irritants and enjoy everything a swimming pool has to offer.

Different Kinds of Swimming Pool Decks

July 27th, 2009

Having a backyard swimming pool is an amenity many homeowners enjoy.  Just as important as the type of swimming pool chosen, to make the backyard look the best it can, many homeowners decide to build a swimming pool deck.  A swimming pool deck not only improves the appearance of an outdoor environment, but also provides extra seating space for entertaining or sunbathing.

Most homeowners build larger swimming pool decks to accommodate outdoor furnishings and lounge chairs.  Some of the things to think about when designing a swimming pool deck are which materials are going to work best, cost of the project, position of the deck and whether or not you are going to install a hot tub, outdoor kitchen setting, a grilling area or additional space for entertainment purposes.

There are many materials that can be used for an outdoor pool deck, the choice is up to the homeowner and what their budget, personal taste and space allows.  Pouring concrete for a pad is very affordable and the finished concrete can be painted, texturized or stamped to appear like stone, brick or tile.  Wood is another popular choice to use for a swimming pool deck because it is easy to construct and highly affordable.  The main downfall with using wood materials for pool decking is the routine maintenance required to keep the deck is the best condition possible.

Composite materials are man-made and created to give the appearance of wood. One thing a person should remember when using composite materials it is more expensive than wood, but requires less of a commitment in terms of maintenance.  Since composites are resistant to warping, rotting and insect damage, it is not necessary to seal or paint the deck either.

There are many different materials a homeowner to use when constructing a swimming pool deck.  Whether wood, composite materials, concrete, tile or stone is selected, there are many great ideas you can incorporate when beautifying your outdoor swimming pool with the addition of a deck.

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