Home Swimming Pool & Hot Tub Safety (2024)

FAQs

Is it safe to have a pool at home? ›

Top Things to Know

Secure your pool with appropriate barriers. Designate a water watcher…and stay in arm's reach of young children. Install anti-entrapment drain covers and safety release systems to protect against drain entrapment. If a child is missing, check the water first.

Contrary to what you may think, you can use your hot tub all year round — even in the hottest parts of summer. In fact, your hot tub can be a great way to cool off! By turning your hot tub's temperature to a lower setting you can enjoy the benefits of a refreshing soak when temps run high.

Essentially, if you have a backyard pool in California, it's likely to raise the value of your home. Still, California is a big state, so the exact value added can vary quite a bit. Some examples of what you can expect are: Los Angeles: Homes with a pool sell for about $95,000 more than similar homes without.

As a backyard pool owner, you should check the disinfectant (chlorine or bromine) level and pH at least twice per day (and more often when the pool is in heavy use) to make sure they are correct: 1–10 parts per million (ppm) free chlorine or 3–8 ppm bromine. pH 7.2–7.8.

While the standard five/six feet deep end is enough for swimming or jumping in feet-first, this is not a safe depth for diving. A diving pool should be eight feet deep at a minimum and the slope must angle appropriately to reduce the risk of injury.

Drowning: Even shallow water can be very dangerous for those who do not know how to swim. If no adults are present to supervise swimmers, there's an increased risk that the smallest accident could turn serious. Owners must have lifesaving equipment near the swimming pool and have a fence around it to limit access.

A four-sided isolation fence is the best barrier as it completely surrounds the pool or spa. It is different from a property line or “perimeter” fence that keeps neighbor children from accessing your pool. Isolation fencing separates the pool or spa from the house.

Can you put a hot tub in a pool? ›

If you're planning to renovate your pool, this is a great time to add a hot tub into the design. Most pool renovations require you to empty the pool to carry out the required structural work. Before you start the renovation, talk to a pool company to discuss the best way to add a hot tub to the existing structure.

Letting your hot tub sit empty in the summer isn't a problem provided that you have it properly secured with a cover. Having your hot tub covered is essential - in fact, one of the easiest ways that an acrylic hot tub can be damaged is by being left empty in direct sunlight. Doing so can actually void your warranty.

Generally, you should set the temperature of your hot tub to between 98 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit (36 and 40 degrees Celsius), even when not using it. However, if you plan to be away or know you won't use it for up to six weeks, lower the temperature to around 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius).

In many cases, an inground swimming pool is considered a good investment in your home as it has the possibility to increase your home's value. Also, think of the cost savings by having stay-cations instead of lavish vacations. An inground pool is an investment in your home and family that will last a lifetime.

Less maintenance.

But that's not all—an indoor pool also prevents algae growth, which enters your pool clinging to other plant material. Swimmers also won't track grass and sand into the water. You won't even have that suntan lotion slick that tends to build up on the surface of outdoor pools.

If you live in a state with a hot and humid climate, the pool can be highly beneficial for the value of your home. Since a pool on the territory can create a special microclimate by decreasing the air temperature, they are in high demand in states like California, Florida, and Arizona.