Let me start by saying that we are a second-generation pool safety company. We are passionate about pool safety products-specifically automatic pool covers. We have two little girls; like all parents, we work hard everyday to keep them safe. Having said that, have you ever pulled up to a traffic light or driven down the highway and gasped in fright at the sight of a young baby riding in the front seat (on the lap of the driver no less) or a toddler unsecured bouncing around in the back seat?
Well… I feel that moment of pure horror every time a young family passes on a pool cover when they decide to build a pool.
In truth, they don’t know what I know. We try to educate potential buyers on the many benefits of having an automatic pool cover. They save money on chemicals, heating, evaporation, time on maintenance, and most importantly they save lives. Unfortunately in this industry, we hear tragic stories. Avoidable drownings. So again, I can’t wrap my head around any parents, grandparents, or caregivers deciding to build a pool and opting out of pool cover.
Before I go any further, there is no substitute for supervision. That has been proven time and time again. But I cannot stress enough that, even with the best intentions and the best “helicopter mom tactics,” people get distracted. It happens. Statistics do not lie and no one ever thinks it could be them.
Recently I saw an ad for a pool safety camera. The ad boasts that you can watch your pool from an app on your phone. It is a guard dog of sorts. It continues to read that it has motion sensors and will send text alerts and emails in response. Sounds great, doesn’t it? I must agree it does, but only in addition to an automatic pool cover.
Here are some points to consider:
* It has a motion sensor so if anyone gets near the pool, it will send an alert. Sounds smart. However, if that motion sensor is anything like the motion sensor at the entrance gate at my in-laws home, after it alerts time and time again for bogus
reasons (random animals, wind, or no reason at all), you start to turn a deaf ear to it. It will loose effectiveness.
*The ad also states that you can monitor your pool from your phone. Sounds good in theory. However, I can’t see a scenario that would show this pool camera saving a life without a pool cover covering the pool. If you are watching your toddler crawl towards the pool on your phone, chances are your toddler will be in the pool by the time you get to the pool. The toddler has a head start. Children sink. It is scary what we think drownings look like and what they really are. I have seen a little fellow sink right to the bottom of the pool. It wasn’t a slow descend, it was fast! It happened about 20 feet away from me and I am grateful that my brother in law saw this little fellow escape the watchful eye of his parents and rescued him out of the water as quickly as he fell in it. It all happened in a second. Literally a second.
*Something to consider-homeowner liability. If an accident or injury happens on your property, you are liable. If you are banking on your fence and your pool safety camera, from keeping teenage neighbor “Johnny-Be-Good” from getting in your pool while you’re away or out of town, guess again. Keep your fingers crossed that no one gets hurts or drowns until the police get there.
In fact, automatic pool covers act like horizontal fences. You decide who gets in your pool and when. You won’t have to be glued to your phone to monitor your pool. They are a true extra layer of protection. An automatic pool cover gives you peace of mind.
