Tips for Keeping your South Florida Pool Safe and Healthy

A Healthy Investment

Whether you are building an inground swimming pool for exercise or simply for entertainment and relaxing, you have made a wise decision for several reasons. Obviously, the health benefits are many, but your new pool will also increase your home’s value.

A private swimming pool provides a tranquil oasis of shimmering elegance that lends itself beautifully to the active, healthy, South Florida lifestyle. What better way to keep cool on a hot day than by lounging in your very own pool, and enjoying the therapeutic benefits of swimming? With the convenience of a private pool, you can turn exercise into playful, healthful fun in the sun. Or you can ease the day’s tension in the warm, swirling waters of your own bubbling spa. A pool is one of the most rewarding investments you will ever make.

Exercising in the pool is no longer relegated to swimming laps. With today’s emphasis on fitness you can maximize your family’s enjoyment with a play pool for aquatic games such as volleyball or basketball. Swimming is one of the most popular forms of aerobic exercise, and it is an excellent activity for anyone that wishes to get fit and stay active. Swimming and other forms of water exercise are one of the few forms of exercise that can provide a complete full-body workout. And unlike biking or running or other land-based activities, water aerobics is a low impact, non-weight bearing exercise that still provides a great cardiovascular workout. In addition, as with most aerobic exercise it is believed to reduce the harmful effects of stress. Couples, friends, families, regardless of age and condition can spend quality, healthy time together while working toward conditioning goals.

There is an increasing amount of workout equipment designed specifically for water workouts in recent years. This is, of course, no coincidence considering the trend toward water therapy now being widely accepted as the therapy of choice for major athletes as doctors and therapists have realized that buoyancy and lack of resistance helps speed the healing process. Using water to speed the healing process is hardly new, however. The whirlpool spa was the tried and true method for decades, bringing more blood and oxygen to the injured area. Aging is often associated with stiffness, slowed metabolism, reduced strength and endurance. Research shows these are exactly the same symptoms that develop at any age from lack of physical activity. Any exercise will add to the joy of life as it adds healthy years. An increase in physical activity will help to counteract reduced strength and endurance.

Moving water has an uncanny ability to soothe and refresh no matter where you find it. People, by nature, crave those soothing sounds and the relaxing atmosphere they create. The gentle, pleasing sound of a trickling stream, the soothing sound of raindrops falling, the rush of a cascading waterfall, each in and of itself provoking relaxation. Any of these can be recreated in your very own backyard.

A well-designed poolscape provides multiple levels of healthful recreation and relaxation that spans the generations. Few venues provide this opportunity.

Swimming remains one of the healthiest and safest forms of recreation today, but the need for awareness about pool safety cannot be over stressed. We here at PBI want to help by giving you some safety regulations that will ensure a happy and healthy day at the pool!

1. Do not swim alone
2. Never run around a pool
3. Refrain from glass containers around the pool
4. Use pool toys with care
5. Children should only use the pool when supervised by an adult
6. Keep all electrical appliances and wires away from the pool area
7. Always have a first aid kit handy and close by
8. Have emergency numbers readily available
9. Keep pool deck clean and clear of debris
10. Refrain from drinking alcohol while in the pool
11. Swimmers with infections and open sores should not use the pool
12. Apply sun block and do not overexpose yourself to the sun
13. Make periodic safety and maintenance check to all pool equipment
14. Teach children to swim at an early age to assure their safety
15. Children should rest from time to time to prevent over exhaustion
16. Learn mouth-to-mouth resuscitation
17. Always check gate latches, 2nd springs, and pool alarm
18. Remove floatable toys and games when not in use
19. Always dive and jump in the deep end of the pool
20. Seek permission from other children’s parents to allow them to swim in your swimming pool