Pool Season is Coming: Ensure Your Community Pool is Safe & Ready to Use

 

DCS Pool Barriers - Mission Viejo Pool Fencing & Gates

While the lazy days of summer are still months away, Phoenix-area residents have already seen some warm temperatures this year. This means that many people will begin spending time by the pool. For HOAs and communities (including apartment & condo complexes and community pools), the warmer weather is a signal that the time has come to ensure that community pools are safe and ready for use.

Pool safety is the most important consideration for all pool owners, but it is particularly crucial for communities due to the heavier traffic their pools experience. Therefore, taking numerous pool safety precautions will help to minimize the risk of accidents and avoid liability.

As your community prepares for the beginning of pool season, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

  • Trim and tidy the surrounding landscaping in order to minimize the amount of debris in the pool. Be sure to move any cacti or other prickly desert plants away from the pool and walkways, as their thorns pose a hazard to swimmers and can rupture inflatable toys.
  • Check the pool’s chemical levels and filtration system. For most pools, pH levels should fall between 7.2 and 7.4, alkalinity should range from 80 to 120, and calcium hardness should be between 150ppm and 250ppm. Consider hiring a pool maintenance expert to ensure that these levels are within range and that the pool is ready for safe and healthy swimming.DCS Pool Barriers - Deer Creek Village Pool Fence
  • Review state law and make sure that the fences and gates surrounding the pool area are legally compliant. Fences and gates help communities restrict pool access to residents and guests, enforce operating hours, and—most importantly—reduce the risk of drowning by keeping children, pets, and other unsupervised entrants out of the pool area. For this reason, Arizona state law requires pool fences to be at least five feet high, enclose the pool area entirely, and be free of gaps, handholds, or footholds that could be used to pass or climb into the pool area. Gates must be self-closing and self-latching, open outward from the pool, and have a latch that is located at least 54 inches above the ground.
  • Verify that fences and gates are in good repair and are operating properly. If fences become rusted—which is common when they are repeatedly splashed with water from nearby irrigation systems—they may be easier to breach, allowing unsupervised entry into the pool area. Similarly, if the hinges or latches on a gate become rusted or broken, the gate may fail to close properly. The experts at DCS Pool Barriers can examine these important items and, if necessary, recommend repair or replacement. While reliable fences and gates are indispensable elements of pool safety, always remember that when children are near the pool, there is no substitute for constant adult supervision!DCS Pool Barriers - Palm Valley Community Pool 2

At DCS Pool Barriers, we design, manufacture, and install wrought iron pool fences and gates using the highest quality wrought iron for maximum safety and durability. Our team will ensure that the finished product is functioning optimally and enhances the style of your community’s property. We are experienced at working with HOA boards and property managers to implement the best pool barrier solution to meet the community’s needs. Call us today at 623-825-7700 for a free estimate!