Swimming Pools

Swimming pools are either above-ground or in-ground. Above-ground pools are usually made of a thick vinyl-type bladder or corrosion-resistant steel with a vinyl liner covering. Typically, these pools are no deeper than six feet, so diving should be strictly prohibited. In-ground pools may be more custom-designed, and generally are constructed of fiberglass, vinyl liner or concrete. In-ground pool construction can take from three to six weeks, and your clients might get a bargain if they have it done at the end of summer. After installation, performing normal pool maintenance may require four to eight hours per week.

Parents owning a pool must be careful. Drowning is the top cause of death for children under 5 in California, Arizona and Florida. Therefore, a fence at least 4 feet high should be placed all around the pool and the gate door should open outward and be self-closing. The self-locking latch should be at the top of the gate. A safety cover should be placed on the pool whenever it's not in use. Rescue materials such as life preservers and shepherd hooks should be kept next to the pool, along with a telephone for emergencies. A child should never be left unattended for any reason, and no toys should be left in a pool that might attract a child.