Pools
Why “No t-shirt in the pool” rule doesn’t hold water
At first glance, the story out of Bakersfield, Calif., about a man who’s fighting the city to be able to wear a t-shirt while swimming might seem trivial — the kind of fodder local news stations love, but which have no real consequences. Dig deeper, however, and you’ll see that this issue is about much […]
Fear of the water is more common — and more deadly — than you think
Carmen Electra. Richard Branson. Sandra Bullock. Snoop Dog. Eva Mendes. What do all these celebrities have in common? They’re adults who can’t swim — a life-threatening problem that’s about more than just being unable to compete in the Olympics. Chances are, these celebrities, and adults like them who can’t swim, are afraid of the water. […]
How do I fence in my pool?
Pool and spa owners in New Zealand are cheering a proposed change to the nation’s fencing law would mean that above-ground portable hot tubs with locking covers are no longer be required to have fences around them. That’s all well and good for those down under. But what about the millions of pool and spa […]
Could waves from swimming power your pool?
If you’ve ever swum a lap, you know how much work it takes to move your body through the water. Thank the laws of fluid dynamics for that. But those same dynamics also make swimming a great exercise. Among the many benefits of swimming is the fact that it is one of the few exercises […]
Knowing this gross truth about swimming could save you from illness
In early January, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a little-noted report on recreational water illness outbreaks that every swimmer should know about. Recreational water illness happens when a swimmer ingests a pathogen from the water and becomes ill. Often, a few swimmers become sickened by the same pathogen. When that happens, the CDC […]
Knowing these 4 pool heater dangers could save your life
A dozen different businesses are embroiled in a lawsuit over a pool heater explosion that injured two people. The courts will ultimately decide who’s at fault in this dispute, but it points out a hidden pool danger many swimmers don’t know about until it’s too late. An estimated 900,000 pools in the U.S. are heated […]
3 ways pool owners can combat drought – and save green
Governor Jerry Brown recently called California’s drought an “unprecedented serious situation,” which in politicalspeak is like screaming fire in crowded theater. Forbes took the alarm bell and ran with it, posting a provocative editorial headlined “To End California Drought, Fill More Hollywood And Silicon Valley Swimming Pools.” As climate change takes deeper hold, drought has become […]
Pool entrapment: understanding and preventing the danger
A child in the Philippines barely escaped with his life recently when he became entrapped in the drain pipe of a local swimming pool. What does this news from halfway around the world have to do with you and swimming pool safety? Plenty. Entrapment is one of the hidden dangers of swimming pools many people […]
Crocodile in the pool? Here’s what to do
“I don’t mean to alarm you, but I think there’s a crocodile in the pool.” That was the oh-so-proper response of an Aussie swimmer who found not one, but nine baby crocodiles in a public swimming pool recently. His demeanor notwithstanding, finding a crocodile in your pool is ample reason to hit the panic button. […]
High-tech iSwimband no substitute for pool supervision
A new high-tech water safety detector entered the market this week, even making a splash at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas (skip to about the 40-minute mark to see the interview). The iSwimband is a headband and wristband that alerts parents or guardians if kids fall in the water or are submerged for […]