Have you ever been to a hotel or public pool and saw a big white circle in the deep end with a smaller black circle in the middle?

That actually has an important purpose. If you cannot see through the water to that black dot from every angle of the pool, by municipal law, the pool is not allowed to open.

Water cloudiness is a big challenge and it is super important when it comes to pool maintenance and safety. Not only for commercial pools, but also in your own backyard!

This week, in Part three of our Pool Safety series, we are looking at the top five pool upkeep issues that you need to know about in order to make sure your family is safe all summer long:

Water Clarity

Make sure the water is free of dirt, hair clumps, and other debris. A good rule of thumb is to make sure you can see the main drain from every angle at the pool’s edge. Better yet, put in your very own reference point, like the public pool, when you drain your pool at the end of the season. You could use a big sticker or even paint it on. Have fun with it, get creative and involve the kids!

Buoy Lines

Be sure there are enough buoys on the line to keep it afloat and make sure they are securely attached to the sides of the pool.

Filters and Drains

Kids are always curious about how things work. So make sure the main drain and the water inlets and outlets are secure so they cannot remove them.

Chemical Levels

Be sure to regularly check your pool’s water disinfection and pH readings. Free Available Chlorine (FAC) levels should be a minimum of 0.5 ppm. and pH should read between 7.2ppm and 7.8ppm.

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Chemical Storage

These need safe storage and that means keeping them sealed, clearly labeled and away from heat. Kids are so curious and they try to mimic everything we do. Let’s say they just watched Dad adjust the chemicals in the pool. The next thing you know, they are into the chemical containers to mix up chlorine with water “just like Dad”, but they don’t know if you mix it in the wrong order, it can cause an explosion. Be sure that chemicals are stored out of the reach of curious little hands!

We all want our family to stay safe and keep the fun times rolling all summer long.

But sometimes making sure you have everything covered can be overwhelming.

Not to worry, we’ve got you covered! Here is a quick checklist from the Lifesaving Society that you can keep by your pool for easy access.

Happy swimming!