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Thunderstorm Coming? Get Out of the Pool!

July 29th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

Saw this story today in the Arizona Republic and thought the information might bear repeating for some folk who for whatever reason may be unaware. If there’s a thunderstorm anywhere in the vicinity of your pool, get out of the water ASAP.  Seems a guy wrote in to the paper about a disagreement he had with his wife over the safety of pools when a storm threatened. The advice given is right on target.

It’s not just that lightning is attracted to water, and that water is a fairly good conductor of electricity. It’s the fact that you are out in the open just like you were on a golf course or standing out in your yard.

And your [inground] pool is reinforced with metal rods under the concrete, and they could attract lightning, too.

Even if the bolt did not make a direct hit on your pool, a strike nearby could travel along the ground to nail you.

Your wife also is correct in urging you to leave the water at the first signs of the storm. Lightning can strike from as far as 10 miles away. So even if the storm looks like it’s a long way off, you need to get out of the pool.

So take heed and stay safe. Get out of the pool as soon as you see the storm coming.

Wife Is Right About Swimming During A Storm; Arizona Republic (azcentral.com)

New York State Swimming Pool Alarm Law Now Permanent

July 24th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

The state of New York (USA) now requires all pools installed or modified after 2006 to have a swimming pool alarm installed, making permanent a two-year-old emergency ruling. The new law applies to temporary inflatable pools as well as permanent inground or above-ground pools. Those caught without an alarm will be given a warning first time; but after that one can be fined up to $1000 a day until the alarm is installed. So if you have a pool and live in New York state, you’ve been informed.

Via NY Injury Law Blog

Natural Swimming Pools: In The Swim With Nature

July 20th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

I had read about natural swimming pools a while back on an environmentally-oriented blog. I understand they are popular in Europe. This feature story from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (MO, USA) looks at such a natural pool built by a family in Illinois and nicely covers the concept.

Natural pools are intended as ecologically balanced systems that rely on plants and microorganisms, rather than chlorine and commonly used pool chemicals, to clean and purify water.

[The featured] pool is cleaned naturally, filtered by plants and aerated by a stacked limestone waterfall. Skimmers installed at the edge of the pool collect larger debris, and a ultraviolet filter completes the process to ensure safe water. Two electric pumps alternately circulate water about 14 hours a day during the summer.

It looks like a huge natural pond, complete with turtles, aquatic plants and frogs (no fish); but it’s a swimming pool. The owners say they love the swimming experience. There are photos and a fair amount of detail on how the pool was put together; along with resources for more information. If you’re interested in a chemical-free pool and like the concept of introducing plants and select wildlife to your home swimming experience, check out natural swimming pools.

Swimming With Ecology - STLToday

In The Swim Coupon Savings - $10 off

July 15th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

Internet retailer In The Swim is offering savings of $10 off a $50 purchase through July 31st.  In The Swim carries a wide range of products and accessories for your pool, from pumps and chlorine generators, to pool chemicals, to toys, games and pool lounges; all at competitive prices. So if you’ve been coveting that floating deluxe lounger, blackjack game; or just need to stock up on pool chemicals, now’s a great time to buy. Click here for your savings.

Stormy Weather Stalls Blogging

July 15th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

Wow…It’s just as well the pump wasn’t installed on time.

We’ve had terrible thunderstorms, some pretty massive, run through our area over the past 2 - 3 weeks. A baaaad ‘jamma came through the last weekend of June with incredible lightning and with one horrible strike fried my computer (aaarrgh!) and two TVs, took out the attic exhaust fan (it’s really hot here) and the phone service; and all but blasted the sprinkler control panel off the basement wall. It’s a complete miracle that the house didn’t burn down. Prolly would have destroyed the new swimming pool pump if it had been installed - and wouldn’t that have been a waste of cash? I haven’t been on vacation, but I have been computerless and that’s why I’ve been silent these weeks.

I’m now back to blogging. I finally found a great laptop bargain which now allows me to work anywhere in the house or outside (yay!) using my wireless connection. Talk soon.

New Florida Law to Make Swimming Pools and Pumps Energy Efficient

June 26th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

It’s reported that Florida Governor Charlie Crist will sign a new bill into law this week requiring that swimming pool pump motors run more efficiently to conserve energy.  The new law will require that by 2011 all new Florida pools have variable speed pumps. Pools in California already are required to have pool pumps with at least two speeds.

Florida Swimming Pools To Be Greener in 2011 - News-Press.com (Fort Meyers FL)

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