Another year of swimming pool fun has come to an end and now it’s time to “Winterize” and close your pool for the chilly off-season winter months.  Learn the proper steps to close your swimming pool to ensure you can easily re-open for next year.

Remove Pool Supplies, Accessories, and Clean The Patio

Start by removing your swimming pool supplies and accessories such as skimmers, cleaners, ladders and other tools from the pool and patio area. Hose off any type of dust and algae, let the products completely dry, and store them somewhere safe like a shed or garage where they can be easily found for next season.

Clean Your Pool One Last Time

Before you winterize your swimming pool, make sure you get rid of all the fallen leaves, silt, as well as other particles and debris that floats around the pool or falls from nearby trees. This will make it easier to balance the water chemistry during the months where the cover is installed on top and also prevent mold and algae from growing or accumulating around the sides.

Using a skimmer you can clean the swimming pool’s surface, and with a pool vacuum cleaner you can get rid of all leaves, dirt, and debris from the floor of the pool. Thoroughly brush the pool’s flooring and also sides to get the water and lining as clean as possible.

Take Some Water Out Of The Pool And Drain The Pumps

Before closing the swimming pool, you’ll need to lower the amount of water in your swimming pool. If you have a mesh pool cover, the water level needs to be at least one foot lower than the skimmer.

Then you will need to drain every filter, pump, and heating unit that’s connected to your swimming pool. Filters need to be cleaned thoroughly and stored in a secure area for use in the next season.

Add Chemicals and Shock To Keep Your Pool Water Clean

One of the last final steps before closing the pool is to add chemicals and shock into the water.  This will kill bacteria, algaecide, algae, and other particles growing inside the swimming pool.  It’s important to do this before putting the cover on top of the pool, to ensure the chemicals spread throughout all of the pool’s surface.

Cover Your Swimming Pool With A Quality Cover and The Help From A Local Pool Company

So now it’s time to place the cover on the pool! Learn about our pool cover installation services and how we help homeowners successfully clean and close their swimming pools for the winter months. This includes services such as:

• Pool “Winterize” Cleaning
• Pool Cover Installation and Maintenance
• Pool Cover Removal and Pool Re-Open Services

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It’s time to get your backyard ready for spring! Which means it’s time for any homeowner in New York with a pool to ensure their yard is ready for a safe summer season of pool fun. The spring is the perfect time to make sure your backyard is ready for the warmer months. We’ve created a Backyard Pool Safety Checklist for homeowners to follow to protect your family from accidental drownings this year and beyond.

Your Complete Backyard Pool Safety Checklist

At Life Saver Pool Fence we teach all of our clients how to be a “LIFESAVER” with our pool safety tips and checklist:

Layers of protection – Install layers of protection in your yard to protect your family and pets from having easy access to the pool.

Install a pool alarm to alert you of any disturbances to the water and install door locks on any doors that provide access to the backyard.

Fence the pool – A fence is the best way to protect your family from accidental drownings.

Early Infant Swim Instruction – If you have an infant or are expecting a baby, it’s best to get them into swim instruction as early as possible.

Supervise Children and Designate a Water Watcher – Never, ever leave your child or children unattended, even just for a minute or two.

Always Check the Pool First When Children Are Missing – If your child has disappeared from sight, the pool should be the first place you look, even before checking the front yard or street.

Verify Caretakers Know CPR – This means yourself, your spouse, grandparents, babysitters and anyone else who is left alone with your child.

Educated Family and Babysitters on Pool Safety – Anyone who watches your child, including yourself, should understand pool safety and how to keep your children safe around the pool.

Remember that Drowning is Silent and the #1 Accidental Killer of Children Ages 1-4.

In addition to this, when it comes to your pool fence, it’s important to ensure you have all of the “must-haves” in place.

Pool Mesh Pool Fence Must-Haves

• A fence that has a self-closing, self-latching gate with a latch knob at least 6” above the gate.
• A fence that has withstood testing that proves the poles can withstand 100+ pounds of force.
• A fence that does not have any sharp hooks or points on the latches of hardware.
• A fence made of four lines of stitching securing the border to the mesh

Pool and swim season will be here before you know it. The spring is the perfect time to go through this pool safety checklist and make sure your family can enjoy the pool worry-free all summer long. If you need to install new pool fencing, contact us today at (516) 766-5336.

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Here are some tips for preparing your pool for the winter months and practicing pool safety all year round.

First and foremost, if you haven’t already it’s time to install a pool fence around your pool. Not only is this one of the first steps you should do in ensuring your home is safe for your family, it is a  vital component to water safety and drowning prevention.

You may have already covered your pool by now, however if you haven’t done so with a weight bearing pool cover, you may want to reconsider your choice. This type of cover will not only keep debris out of your pool, but also will support the weight of a person should they walk on the cover. If the pool cover you are using is not weight bearing, you run the risk of someone becoming trapped within the cover should they try to walk on it.

Another safety precaution to take is to lock your pool gate. Simply closing your gate and assuming no one will enter the pool area is not enough. Lock the gate to deter children, pets or anyone else from entering the pool.

It is also a good idea to reinforce to your family that the pool is off-limits during the cooler months. Put away all pool toys, store any pool games and even pool maintenance items like nets or skimmers. Anything that is normally associated with the pool should be secured away in a shed or other storage area.

If you are in the Northeast, and have already closed your pool for the season or are preparing to close your swimming pool for the winter, this is a great time to reinforce the layers of protection you currently have in place and add any you are missing.

Pool safety is critical all year round, even after your pool has been closed for the season! If you need to install new pool fencing, contact us today at (516) 766-5336.

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As a homeowner with a pool in your backyard, you should consider what layers of protection need to be in place to keep your family safe. Installing a pool fence is step one in this process and a vital component to pool safety and drowning prevention.

However, as a parent you shouldn’t stop at installing a pool fence. Babies and toddlers are easily thwarted from entering the pool area that is protected by a pool fence but if you are the parent of an older child, or if your younger child is particularly “creative” (and ambitious) a pool fence alone often is not enough. This is why having multiple layers of protection in place is so important.

Deciding on what these layers will be for your home begins with doing an “audit” of your backyard. What this means is simply going out into your yard and examining what seemingly harmless things or items can become potentially dangerous access points to your pool. Get down on the ground, or on your back, and look around to see what a young child or toddler might see. Think about what “tools” are available to them that could potentially be used to enter the pool area or circumvent a barrier.

For example, is your pool near trees, tables or other fixtures that can allow your child to climb on and possibly gain access to the pool? Do you have a shed with a ladder inside? Perhaps you should consider locking the shed then. Is a ladder actually in the yard or not secured to a trampoline or other “game” or “toy?” You should also take stock of what other items found in your yard can be moved to the pool area to allow them access.

In addition to taking an audit of your yard, you should consider installing additional layers of protection. This can include:

• Pool Fencing
• Pool Alarms
• Self-closing, self-latching gate
• Pool gate locks
• Pool safety covers

Each of these items offer an added layer of protection. Paired with your own audit of your yard, you will be able to create a safer environment for your family and reduce the risk of pool drowning in your home.

When you should conduct backyard audits to identify potential pool drowning hazards?

1. At the end, beginning and periodically through the pool season
2. After any major changes to your backyard or any construction or landscaping near the pool
3. If you move into a new home
4. Before any company comes over especially ones with young children

The key is to be CONSISTENT, TIMELY and THOROUGH. And, never rely on parental supervision alone. Accidents often happen in an instant.

If you are in the Northeast, in New York where we are located, for example, as you are preparing to close your swimming pool for the season, this is a great time to evaluate possible risks or look for holes in your layers of protection in regards to pool safety (inspect your fences!). Pool safety is vital all year round, even when your pool is closed for the season! If you need to install new pool fencing, contact us today at (516) 766-5336.

The post A Backyard Audit Can Minimize The Risk Factors For Pool Drowning appeared first on Poolfence NY.

1. Install a pool fence! If you haven’t installed a pool fence yet, now is the time. Your pool should be enclosed by a fence that has a self-closing and self-latching gate with a lock. The fence should be a minimum of 4’ high and have a child safety locking mechanism that is at 54” from the ground.
2. Check your fence. For those who already have a pool fence, this is a good time to evaluate your fence and ensure it isn’t in need of any repairs. Even a small amount of damage can create a space large enough for a child to fit through. This means verifying the gate latches and locks properly, ensuring there are no missing pieces or gaps in the fence and checking for holes in mesh fences.
3. Cover your pool properly. If you’ve already covered your pool with a winter cover, ensure that it is securely anchored to the ground, so there is no risk of a child slipping under the pool cover or getting caught in it, should they try to walk on it. The cover you choose should be able to withstand a substantial amount of weight. You should also maintain the cover by cleaning it regularly and removing debris to prevent it from getting weighed down.
4. Install a pool alarm that will notify you if there is any disturbance in the water. A pool alarm is an excellent backup safety measure, in the event a child manages to bypass a pool fence and pool cover. If you already have a pool alarm, be sure to test the batteries and make sure it is still working properly.

In addition to these steps, it’s important to educate children about the importance of staying away from pools during off season. That includes friends who visit, not just your own children. Whether the pool is in your own backyard or you are renting a house with a pool, it is critical to ensure pool safety happens year round and not just during the summer months.

Life Saver is happy to answer your questions regarding whether your pool is safe and secure for the off-season, winter this year and beyond. Ensure you and your family are safe! We are here for the lifetime of your pool fence, helping you keep it in tip top shape safety wise!

If you need to install new pool fencing, contact us today at (516) 766-5336. While we are in our fall season in New York, there is still plenty of time to have an installation performed.

The post 4 Essential ‘End Of The Season’ Pool Safety Tips For Homes In The Northeast appeared first on Poolfence NY.

For landlords, you may be liable for any injuries sustained because of the pool whether it is a tenant, house guest or even a trespasser. It is important that you have the pool fenced with a self-closing gate that locks. In addition to extra insurance to protect yourself in the event of an incident, you may also want to add an addendum to your lease with rules of the pool, including requiring your tenant to notify you immediately if the pool fence is not functioning properly or breaks.

Tenants who are renting a house with a pool should ensure the fence surrounding the pool is working properly. In addition they should also ensure all family members, especially children know how to swim and are educated with water safety. Tenants should also ask their landlord to install a pool fence, a self-closing gate with locks, pool alarm and utilize a pool cover. Finally, the most important thing any family living in a rental home with a pool should do is supervise the use of the pool at all times and never allow children to use it unattended.

New York State law states that a fence that is a minimum of 4’ high must obstruct access to the pool with a self-closing, self-locking gate that has a child safety locking mechanism that is 54” from the ground. The fence must not sit more than 2 inches above the ground. For above-ground pools, the barrier may be at ground level or mounted on top of the pool structure, however, if it is mounted on the pool the space between the top of the pool and bottom of the fence cannot exceed 4 inches.

Life Saver is happy to answer your questions on maintaining and repairing damaged swimming pool fence to maximize pool safety. Or if you need to install new pool fencing, contact us today at (516) 766-5336. While we are in our Fall season in New York, there is still plenty of time to have an installation performed.

The post Important Considerations When Renting A House With A Swimming Pool appeared first on Poolfence NY.

Whether you have an in-ground or above-ground type of swimming pool, you need to implement serious maintenance work. Here are some maintenance tips to ensure your pool is healthy and safe to use:

• During hot weather, it is important to closely monitor the chorine and pH level of the pool water on a daily basis. Remember that too much chlorine or alkaline is dangerous.
• Run your pool filter on a regular basis. To lengthen the life of your filters and for it to work efficiently, you should backwash your filter.
• Brush the floor and the surrounding area to prevent algae build up which can cause the floor to be slippery.
• Vacuum your pool at least once a week to remove any debris from the pool.
• Regularly check pool equipment. If pool parts wear out, replace them immediately.
• Ensure that your pool fence is properly installed and there are no holes where smaller unsupervised kids can gain access. If you installed pool alarms, make sure they are working properly. If you have not yet installed pool safety fences in your swimming pool, you should hire the best pool fence installer on Long Island.

The above mentioned tips provides you with the basics of maintaining your pool. Life Saver Pool Fence recommends you talk to a professional to give you a more detailed swimming pool maintenance procedures. For the installation of child pool safety fences, call us at (516) 766-5336 for a FREE safety evaluation.

The post Is Your Long Island Swimming Pool Safe For Kids To Swim? appeared first on Poolfence NY.

1. Teach your kids how to swim and educate them about water safety. It’s an investment, not a cost. Check with your local municipality for a list of licensed local centers or swimming pool operators that offer swimming classes. Start while they are young to also build confidence in your young ones.

2. Install multiple layers of safety including pool safety fences, door alarms, self-latching gates, and pool covers. While these barriers do not guarantee complete protection, having a pool fence does better at keeping toddlers out of your swimming pool than not having any barrier at all. Most local governments require homeowners to install a fence around their swimming pool. This is because pool safety fences create a physical boundary that will keep most kids, especially the smaller ones, out of harm’s way. It is advisable to install self-latching pool gates and pool alarms to secure your fence especially at times when you cannot be close to the pool to supervise your kids. By installing a pool alarm, you’ll be automatically informed.

3. Close and constant supervision from one or more attentive adults is very important – stay 100% safety focused. Whether it is you or another adult you trust, close supervision especially when there are children around your pool is a must. It doesn’t matter whether your child knows how to swim or not. Even a good swimmer can’t always avoid a pool accident. It is obviously preferred to choose someone who knows how to swim and perform CPR well enough to help a child or even an adult in case of an accident. If you don’t know how to perform CPR, there are classes available to learn it and get proper certification. As the owner of the pool, you may also impose rules, and it is important not be lenient about these rules. Remember that the safety of kids and everyone around your pool becomes your responsibility. You have to be mindful and 100% aware when it comes to the safety of all children near your pool. Other parents at your home are not in their familiar surroundings and will rely on you to oversee the pool, or any other bodies of water near your home. If you are out East in the Hamptons, this may even extend to the Ocean areas with beach front property for example.

Every precaution you take is a step towards preventing pool accidents. The safety of your kids should be prioritized over fun when using your pool. The above 3 tips will surely help you avoid accidents we all don’t want to happen.

For more swimming pool safety tips, download our Swimming Pool Safety eGuide and share it with someone you know. If you have questions about the different types of swimming pool barriers or the installation of pool fences, pool gates, and alarms, call us at (516) 766-5336 today.

The post Moving Into A New House With A Pool On Long Island? Three Child Safety Barriers Are A Must Before You Move. appeared first on Poolfence NY.

Having a pool in your backyard may be fun, but it is important to understand all the costs and responsibilities associated with installing a swimming pool. The presence of a pool can increase a homeowner’s insurance rates (compared to homes that do not have pools) as swimming pools are considered to be “attractive nuisances” to insurance companies. In fact, pools are a homeowner’s liability. Pool owners are liable for any individual who uses it with or without permission.

But will a pool fence lower homeowner’s insurance rates?

A property perimeter fence is mandated at minimum* if you have a pool, and many people have both a perimeter fence and a pool fence installed. Installation of pool fences is a great way to prevent accidental drownings, but it may not have a direct impact on the cost of homeowner’s insurance rates. No additional credit will be given to homeowners for having a pool fence in addition to the perimeter fence. A pool fence is considered as an indirect expense by most insurance companies. However, pool fences may help prevent a homeowner’s liability from increasing since it proactively reduces the risk of accidental drownings (and other accidents).

Most insurance companies require pool owners to comply with their local municipality ordinances. Almost all towns on Long Island require the installation of fences to enclose around swimming pools; however, Life Saver Pool Fence of New York recommends that you to contact your town’s building department for the most accurate swimming pool building regulations. Doing so is the only real way to identify the exact laws that you need to follow. You should also contact your insurance company and collect detailed information to answer your questions.

We are also available to help answer any questions you have related to pool fences. Feel free to reach out to us at (516) 766-5336.

* Disclaimer: Please note that the information on this blog is meant for general information purposes only. It is not to be misconstrued as specific advice for the reader about his or her home. To guarantee and fully understand the law and requirements for your home, it is advised that you reach out to your local building department.

The post Does Installing Pool Fences Lower Homeowners Insurance Rates? appeared first on Poolfence NY.

Below are the necessary barrier requirements for outdoor residential swimming pools.

Pool Fences

The pool fences should completely surround the swimming pool and must be at least 4 feet (48 inches) tall. The space between the ground and the bottom of the fence should not go beyond 2 inches. Any opening should be small enough to obstruct passage of smaller children through the opening.

Pool Gates

Pool gates must satisfy the requirements applicable to pool fences. Install gates that are self-closing and self-latching. The latch handle should be at least 40 inches above grade and is located within the enclosure. Also, it must open outward. A self-closing gate will give you peace of mind at times when your child goes out of sight.

Pool Alarms

Any door that can provide direct access to the swimming pool should be equipped with a pool alarm. The alarm should produce an audible warning when the door or the pool gate is opened and should sound for at least 30 seconds after the door is opened. Also, make sure that the alarm can be heard throughout the house. You should be able to deactivate the alarm manually temporarily or choose one that resets under all conditions.

Safety Pool Cover

If there are no barriers installed, the swimming pool should be equipped with a powered pool safety cover that conforms to the standard labeling requirements for covers of all kinds of swimming pools.

Homeowners should consider the above-mentioned requirements as they contemplate about installing pool safety barriers. It is highly recommended to consult a professional pool fence installation company since they have the experience and required knowledge in identifying potential problems and can provide the right solutions. Remember, when it comes to safety, there should be no room for errors.

Life Saver of New York offers pool fencing installation in a way that guarantees complete safety of little ones. Contact us at (516) 766-5336 to learn more about our installation process.

To read more about the current requirements for swimming pools in New York, visit http://www.dos.ny.gov/dcea/pdf/PoolsumUC0708.pdf.

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