Preparing the Pool for Your Baby’s First Swim

If your baby loves the water; then there is no time to waste. Water babies are not afraid of anything and will swim with the best of them, but if they’ve just started holding their head straight, it’s probably a good idea to make sure that the pool is well-equipped to make your bundle of joy safe and happy for their first swim.

Although your baby is strong enough to withstand the surprise of their first swim and even love it; as a new parent, you need to make sure that your pool is safe and secure for your baby to splash around in. So what are the first things you should look out for when you’re preparing for your child’s first swim?

Firstly, make sure that the water is heated properly. Most people take their babies for their first swim when they’re six months old, but you need to remember that your baby has relatively sensitive skin as compared to older children, which means that their body temperature won’t change gradually like ours, but will have quick fluctuations.

Many people use pool heaters from companies such as Hayward, Pentair, Jandy, Raypak and Sta-Rite to keep the water temperature regulated. If the water is at a proper temperature, than the baby’s body temperature will stay steady, making the water comfortable. Just make sure to keep the water warm, not hot; and with a proper pool heater, the temperature will stay regulated so that your baby doesn’t feel overheated.

Secondly, make sure that your pool is clean. A baby is very sensitive to dust or dirt, and if they haven’t had their complete course of allergy shots yet, they can get a bad reaction. Use a good quality pool filter to pull out all the dust and debris, leaving your pool water clean and pristine. Keep an eye on that pool filter though. If you feel like it isn’t working the way it was before, have it replaced. Nothing is more important than your baby’s health.

Your pool should also be equipped with a good quality pool cleaner from dependable brands such as Kreepy Krauly, SmartPool or Polaris so that it works alongside your pool filters to keep the water clean.

Thirdly, make sure your pool is properly chlorinated. It’s not harmful for your baby to be exposed to chlorine this early so you shouldn’t worry about it. Chlorine is used to keep the water clean because it kills all the bacteria and helps in controlling the algae spread in your pool water. A properly chlorinated pool helps in keeping the walls and the bottom of the pool clean so when you take your baby into the water for the first time, you know they won’t be harmed in any way.

Lastly, make sure you have the necessary safety gear such as a personal flotation device (PFD) which fits your baby perfectly properly and is approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. Make sure the baby has it on at all times so that they can splash around to their heart’s content.

Your baby’s safety and health is your first priority, and with the proper pool equipment, you can make sure that their first swim is a moment you will cherish forever.

Keeping Your Pool Clean

If you have a pool, chances are at one point; you have wished that your pool would perform a miracle and self-clean. Having a pool is a luxury, especially during the summer time. Nothing feels better than coming home after a long hard day at work, shedding off your clothes and jumping into the nice cold water, but what if the pool is dirty? You won’t stand by with a net scooping up debris because you want to cool off.

Getting the right pool cleaner for your pool is essential because not only does it help in keeping the water spick and span, but it’s also good for your health. Swimming in the water with a few leaves might be okay with you, but bacteria which are invisible to the naked eye, can be potentially harmful for you. Dust, dirt and germs are always around us, but with a perfect pool cleaner and some handy tips on how you can keep your pool clean, you can take a swim without worrying about your health.

Pool Cleaner

Pool cleaners from suppliers such as the Hayward, Kreepy Krauly or the Polaris models have been favorites in the pool industry for years. When you go to buy a pool cleaner, don’t just buy one which ‘looks’ like it’ll work. Know the dimensions, depth and details of your pool before making any purchase so that the cleaner doesn’t turn out to be too small or too big for the pool.

Pool cleaners are not just extravagant expenses and when you want a pool without the $100 a month cleaning service, you need the best you can get. With so many companies making high-quality pool cleaners at affordable prices, it’s best to make the right choice.

Pool Filters

Pool filters work like coffee filters. They trap the dirt and allow the water to pass through. A safe swimming pool needs an efficient filter system. When opting for a pool filter, know your brands and the size of the filtration system. Major filtration systems are available in sand, cartridge and diatomaceous earth types, so if you know your pool details, you can get an effective system without worrying about whether it will work.

Pool Safety

Safety is obviously important for any swimming pool. Whether you have children or not, you still need to keep a clean and safe pool, not only because it will help you in the long run but also because a nice clean pool looks good. Having a clean pool means not worrying about germs, algae, or dirt etc, and pool cleaners and filters are specifically designed to keep the water sparkling while maintaining its safety standards.

Most pools have a heavy duty filter and cleaner installed which works periodically to keep the water clean at all times, and it can be really helpful if you don’t have the time to take out the cleaner itself. At the end of the day, you want to unwind and relax, and there is nothing more relaxing than wading into the crystal clear water of your private pool and feeling the comforting chill surround you and take away all your achiness.

Adding a Little Cool to Your Pool

Do you feel like perhaps you need to something new to your pool? Has the simple kidney-shape finally lost its charm, are the pool chairs towering with your children’s used pool toys, or is it just the fact that it seems too boring to swim around in anymore?

When you have a pool, you know you need to spend a lot of money to make it look good, so you settle for the simple luxury of just having a proper safe pool for your weekly swim without any bells and whistles. However, the dreams of having a center-of-attention pool can now become a reality. Because companies are now making beautiful pool features such as waterfalls, fountains and pool lights which won’t cost an arm and a leg anymore. Thus, many people are thinking outside the box to add a bit of drama to the family swimming hole.

Waterfalls

Magazines are filled with pictures of celebrities’ homes with their swimming pools decked with beautiful waterfalls, their beauty emphasized by the lights. However, you don’t need to be a millionaire to make your pool look like a million dollars. Companies such as Jandy are making beautiful waterfalls which are designed to fit in any pool.

A waterfall is a beautiful feature because it allows a peaceful and soothing flow of water as well as a bold and thundering shower, which adds excitement to your pool. It also isn’t as expensive as it was before, and if you have a sense of adventure, a waterfall would be the perfect addition for your pool.

Fountains

Fountains aren’t just for the rich and famous. A fountain adds elegance and class to your home, and if you’re having a party, nothing is more of a show stopper than a fountain suddenly bubbling up in your pool. Polaris has designed two beautiful fountain features for swimming pools which are affordable and beautiful for any pool.

Fountains for a swimming pool take the water from the pool cleaner line or the swimming pool’s return lines, so the water stays clean and keeps on circulating. You can either have a floating fountain which bobs along the surface of your pool or you can have the fountain fitted to the wall of your pool. Add a few well-placed plants and pots to that side, flare up the fountain and you’re good to go.

Pool lights

Pool lights are necessary for every pool. Not only do they give off a beautiful luminous glow from inside the water, but with so many options, you can now add color to your pool with above ground lighting as well. Many people use halogen lights, which is a classic option. The other options for pool lights are LED lights, which are available in basic white and color changing models as well. They’re energy-efficient and last longer, so you don’t have to worry about the expense.

Another option is that of fiber optic lights. These lights are available in a variety of shades so you can have a lot of choices if you want some drama. With the proper pool lights, you’ll be able to see while you’re swimming at night, and you’ll have a beautifully lit pool.

So if you want to create a night to remember by bringing the party to the pool, deck it out with the perfect waterfall, pool fountain and gorgeous pool lights and you’ll be the most popular pool owner in the neighborhood.

In-Ground Pool Cleaners

In-ground pools are one of the most popular pool styles in the United States. If given the opportunity, many homeowners would prefer to have an in-ground pool, rather than an above-ground pool. One of the many reasons why in-ground pools are preferred over above-ground pools is because of their appearance. In-ground pools are more attractive than pools that stick out of the ground. If the appearance of your pool is important, you will want to keep your pool cleaned.

To keep your in-ground pool clean, you will have to obtain the proper cleaning supplies and equipment. If you have yet to purchase cleaning supplies for your pool, you may be unsure as to which type of cleaning supplies are best for your pool. Instead of just guessing, you are advised to familiarize yourself with all of the in-ground pool cleaning supplies that are currently available for sale.

When it comes to familiarizing yourself with in-ground pool cleaning supplies and equipment, you will have a number of different options. Perhaps, one of the easiest ways to learn about well performing cleaning equipment and supplies is to speak to those that you know. If you live in a warm area, it is likely that one of your friends, neighbors, coworkers, or relatives has a pool. If so, you may want to ask them about the cleaning supplies or equipment that they use. If you receive positive feedback or product recommendations, you may want to consider further examining those products.

In addition to speaking to your friends, relatives, coworkers, or neighbors, you can also use the internet to familiarize yourself with in-ground pool cleaning supplies. In addition to visiting the online websites of multiple product manufacturers and pool supply stores, you may also want to look for online resources guides. There are a large number of online websites and resource guides that are aimed at assisting those with in-ground pools. On these websites, you should be able to learn more about the cleaning supplies that are currently on the market. You may also be able to read product recommendations or warning from other pool owners.

Whichever search method you select, it is likely that you will hear of automatic pool cleaners and manual pool cleaners. If you are looking to save time, you may want to examine automatic pool cleaners. If you are looking for low-cost cleaning supplies or equipment, you may want to examine manual cleaners. Before making a final decision, as to which type of pool cleaner you would like to purchase, you are advised to examine the advantages and disadvantages of each product.

As mentioned above, automatic pool cleaners are popular because they save time. In most cases, automatic pool cleaners work without your assistance. For instance, if you are using chemicals to clean your pool, automatic cleaners would require that you just pour the chemicals into your pool. If you were looking for cleaning equipment, such as a pool vacuum, many vacuums only require that you turn them on and then the vacuum will do the rest. However, it is important to be on the lookout for automatic pool vacuums that may require your assistance to operate.

As previously mentioned, manual pool cleaners and cleaning supplies are ideal for those who are looking to save money. In most on and offline retail stores, you will find that manual cleaners and cleaning supplies cost less than those that are automatic. While it may take time to manually clean your in-ground pool, you can also make sure that it is done right, the first time.

In addition to either purchasing manual cleaning supplies or automatic ones, you may want to consider purchasing both. In the event that your automatic cleaner does not work, you will have an extra alternative and visa versa. Having a backup plan, when it comes to cleaning your in-ground pool, is the best way to ensure that you can swim anytime you want. In-ground pool cleaners do a great job of keeping your new and old pool clean while you are away.

Choosing the Right Pool Cleaner

Pool cleaners are essentially vacuum cleaners that provide convenience to swimming pool owners and remove debris potentially harmful to a pool’s sanitation with ease. Hand operated pool cleaners exist, but can laborious and time consuming.

Three types of this automated maintenance equipment exist and they are known as suction-side, pressure-side and electric robotic pool cleaner. Suction side is the least expensive and most popular, but cleans through a random course or path. Power is provided by the pool’s pump and debris cleanup is done through the pool’s filter system. Energy-wise, this kind of pool cleaner is the least cost effective and your pool’s filter system will need more servicing.

When it comes to pressure-side pool cleaners, a secondary booster creates highly pressurized water. This turbulence cleans up the walls and floor of a pool, ultimately distributing debris into the surface and then the pool’s main filter. Like a suction-side pool cleaner, pressure-side equipment requires use of a pool’s maintenance systems, but it has the highest electrical usage among the three types of pool cleaners.

Lastly, Electric robotic cleaners operate independently of a swimming pool’s filter and pump. Powered by another electrical source, electric robotic pool cleaners have two motors that allow debris to be captured and filtered water to be returned. Paint-roller like brushes remove particles from the pool’s surfaces and allows contamination-prone materials to be stored in a filter bag. Electrical robotic pool cleaners can also climb walls and reverse their direction, thanks to an internal microchip and some programming. Electric robotic pool cleaners are the most efficient of the three, but involve a large investment or upfront cost at first.