How to Use a Home Security System to Improve Pool Safety and Other Essential Tips

A relaxing day by the pool is the perfect way to spend a warm summer afternoon. However, if you're not careful, children or other guests can injure themselves or accidentally fall into the water. Pool safety should be one of your highest priorities.

Luckily, you can prevent most mishaps by planning ahead and diligently protecting your pool. Whether you're concerned with injuries, drowning, or other risks, taking a few simple steps can help keep your pool area safe and sound. Now, let's dive in.

Monitor With a Security Camera

A bonus if you already have security cameras on your property is that you can use them to help monitor your pool area. A smart home security system also allows you to see if a child or pet has made their way unaccompanied to the water's edge.

By recording footage, you can provide evidence in case of a lawsuit. For example, if someone sneaks into your backyard before breaking into your home, you'll have them on camera. Alternatively, if a guest is being careless and not paying attention, runs around the pool, and hits their head, you can use your recorded footage to prove you shouldn't be liable for their injuries.

When it comes to choosing cameras, you're going to want something reliable. ADT outdoor security cameras are perfect for the job. Our advanced cameras have:

• High-quality video: Generate 1080p HD video quality images, even in dark or low-light environments, so you'll always be able to see who's in your pool area.
• Weatherproof design: Our outdoor cameras can withstand rain, snow, and humidity.
• Motion-sensor capability: Make sure your surveillance camera is on whenever someone gets close to your pool.

You can even check your security cameras from your web-enabled smartphone, ensuring you always know what's happening even when you're away from home.

Install a Pool Alarm

Alarms on your pool gate are a solid first step to improving water safety. However, if you want to make your pool as secure as possible, you may also want to include in-pool alarms to alert you if someone climbs in the water.

Underwater Motion Detectors

Underwater motion detectors create a sonar grid within your pool. By detecting changes in the water's pressure, it can determine whether someone has jumped in. Many subsurface motion detectors are quite sensitive - they may sound the alarm when something as small as 15 pounds enters the pool.

You'll want to deactivate your underwater motion detector whenever you're planning to use the pool. As most alarms rearm themselves once the water calms down, you don't want to sound the alarm every time someone gets back in the pool.

Some underwater alarms come with a remote control that you can use to deactivate the alarm from inside your house. Just make sure you investigate the pool area before turning off the alarm.

Subsurface pool alarms can be somewhat pricey, but the investment may be worth the added safety.

6 Ways to Help Ensure Your Pool Fence Is Effective

Prevent climbing: Whether you're worried about criminals or children, you don't want people defeating the purpose of your fence by climbing over it. To keep everyone's feet on the ground, make sure your barrier doesn't have any footholds or handholds. You may want to stay away from chain-link fences, which are relatively easy to climb.

For increased pool safety, make sure to clear away any lawn furniture or other items that someone could use to lift themselves over your fence. Keeping trees and hedges trimmed properly can also prevent intruders from using them to get into your pool area.

1. Enclose the perimeter: This one might sound obvious, but make sure your fence encloses the entire pool.
2. Minimize slat space: If you use a fence with slats, make sure you don't leave much space for children to climb through. We recommend no more than 3 or 4 inches between slats.
3. Ensure adequate height: Your fence's height will depend on who you're trying to keep out. If you're only worried about children entering the pool area, 4 or 5 feet should be enough to keep them out. If you're attempting to keep out adults, you may want a fence at least 8 feet tall.
4. Lock the gate: Make sure to keep your gate locked whenever you're not using the pool. Your fence should self-close and self-latch, eliminating situations where someone forgets to shut the gate. Consider having the latch at least 4 feet off the ground to prevent small children from entering the pool area unattended.
5. Install gate detectors: For the utmost pool safety, consider attaching an entryway alarm to your pool gate, which triggers the control panel in your home when someone tries to access the pool area.

Seal Off the Water With a Pool Cover

One easy solution to prevent people from falling into the water is to cover it up. You may find a variety of pool covers on the market, including leaf nets and water-warming solar covers. However, if pool safety is your main goal, you'll want to find a heavy-duty safety cover.

You can use a solid cover or a mesh net with holes too small to allow children or pets to slip through. Your pool cover should be anchored down on the sides and corners to prevent anyone from slipping in.

Keep Chemicals in a Locked Area

Many pool owners use chemicals like chlorine to keep the water clear, clean, and safe. However, pool chemicals can be dangerous to young children who may eat or drink them without knowing what they are. Some substances may also cause burns or rashes, so you don't want them to be easily accessible.

Make sure to store any pool chemicals in a locked area, out of reach, where children can't access them. For optimal pool safety, make sure to avoid storing chemicals in direct sunlight.

Keep Pool Safety Gear Near Water

If something unfortunate ends up happening, you want to have safety supplies close to the pool. Examples of vital equipment include:

• A life ring or other flotation devices
• A first aid kit with scissors to cut away any clothing
• A cellphone to call 911

Make sure children always wear a life jacket when they're in the pool area. You never know when they might get into the water, so it's better to be prepared.

Create and Enforce Pool Rules

Pool rules may sound simple, but they can go a long way in promoting pool safety. Summertime best practices around the pool include:

• No running in the pool area
• No children in the pool area alone
• No playing near pool drains or jets

Thinking twice about potentially dangerous toys like water slides

When it comes to children, you may want to invest in swimming lessons to help prevent drowning. Finally, having at least one family member trained in CPR can help keep your loved ones safe in the event of an accident.

Prioritize Pool Safety This Summer

By following the pool safety tips outlined here, you can keep your pool area safe year-round. Once summer rolls around, you'll want to be extra careful when you have guests or children around the pool area. Pool entry alarms, swimming pool security camera, and pool covers are all fantastic ways to protect the people you love. When it comes to fun in the sun, make sure to put safety first.

Do you know who else puts safety first? ADT . As the industry's largest sales, installation, and service field force, we help save lives for a living. So, if you're in the market for smart home security , just know that ADT will work hard so you can spend more time with your family around the pool.