Tag Archives: Above Ground Pools

Outdoor Entertaining, Pool Fun

The Key Ingredient for Endless Summer Fun at Home

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Above Ground Pool

Summer vacations aren’t as appealing in 2011, thanks to painfully high gas prices and a poor economy.  Staying home and saving money is becoming the plan of choice for more and more homeowners.  Summer “staycations” don’t need to be a drag, though, if you provide the proper entertainment.

Without a doubt, the easiest, most cost-effective and boredom busting way to create a high quality summer vacation at home is to install an above ground pool.  More affordable than in ground pools, above ground pools offer year after year of warm weather fun and entertainment for family and friends.  Above ground pools are an ideal destination for neighborhood gatherings, holiday celebrations, and private family relaxation.  They also provide a fun way for adults and kids to burn energy and stay fit.

Summer vacations are more enjoyable for everyone when the long days are filled with engaging activity.  Nothing fulfills that need more effectively than a swimming pool full of water.  Above ground pools offer so much in the way of entertainment that they are, arguably, the only ingredient necessary for the ideal summer “staycation.”

Innovative Solutions, Pool Opening

Fill Your Pool and Support Your Local Fire Department

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Tanker Truck

Looking for an easy way to fill your swimming pool this season and support your local firefighters at the same time?  Creative thinkers in Jackson, New Jersey, developed a unique fundraising idea that would allow homeowners to fill their backyard pools quickly with clean water by paying the local fire department a small fee to do the job. 

For only $200, fire fighters from the Cassville Volunteer Fire Company drive their tanker truck filled with clean water to local residents’ homes.  The $200 buys 7,000 gallons of water, so filling a newly installed pool would cost more, but it’s a win/win situation.  Backyard swimming pools can be filled much more quickly this way, and the fire department raises funds which can be used for necessities like training and equipment.

Community fire departments across the country could certainly benefit from a similar partnership with pool-owning citizens.  The Cassville Volunteer Fire Company and the residents of Jackson, New Jersey, have proven that creative fundraising can work in everyone’s favor.

* Photo source: http://www.cassvillefire.org/pool.html

Outdoor Entertaining, Pool and Spa Equipment

3 Reasons to Take a Second Look at Above Ground Pools

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Above Ground Pool

Above ground pools have gained in popularity over the last few years, and even homeowners who would never before consider installing an above ground pool have taken a second look at today’s models.  Three main reasons can be attributed to the above ground pool’s appeal:

  1. Cost — Compare the cost of installing and maintaining an above ground pool versus the cost of an in ground pool.  The cost of an in ground pool amounts to an impossible luxury for a large number of homeowners.  Above ground pools, on the other hand, are an affordable alternative that many homeowners find easy to manage.
  2. Selection — More varieties of above ground pools are available today than ever before.  Contemporary above ground pools come in a wide range of sizes and can be found in different shapes, including ovals, rectangles, and circles.  The array of sizes and shapes available give homeowners the ability to choose the best style and fit for their particular situation.
  3. Appearance — One of the main criticisms of above ground pools in the past has been theirSemi-inground pool unattractive appearance.  Above ground pools have come a long way, though, in terms of how they look.  Many models come with decorative elements like wall panels made to look like weathered stone and vertical supports that are reminiscent of roman columns.  The appearance of above ground pools can be further enhanced by adding colorful landscaping and wooden pool decks.  Some above ground pools can even be installed partially or mostly into the ground, giving them the feel of an in ground pool.

Owning and enjoying a backyard swimming pool can be a reality for homeowners who are willing to give above ground pools a second look.  Thanks to the advances in quality, materials, selection, and design that have taken place in recent years, above ground pools have become an appealing and affordable alternative to in ground pools.

Pool and Spa Safety

Add This to Your Pool Safety Checklist

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Did you know that children are 8 times more likely to drown or experience submersion accidents in swimming pools if they do not know how to swim (Consumer Product Safety Commission)?  One more step in helping to prevent swimming pool accidents is to ensure that the children (and adults) who will be using the swimming pool know how to swim.

Whether you and your children need to learn to swim from scratch or just need to strengthen your skills, now is the time to get started.  Indoor pools are common at many local YMCAs, YWCAs, or community centers, and year round lessons are usually available to adults and children of all skill levels.  Contact them today for schedule information.

Swim lessons are important for safety, but they are also great fun and provide access to one of the best forms of exercise.  Parents and caregivers should keep in mind, though, that even if children are taking lessons and may be considered strong swimmers, they can still experience swimming pool accidents.  Responsible adult supervision should always be available when kids are in the pool.

Pool and Spa Safety

Take Pool Safety Beyond the Basics

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Pool Safety Alarm

Owning a swimming pool, whether it is an above ground pool or an in ground pool, means taking responsibility for the safety of children and pets who live on or near your property.  There’s more to pool safety, though, than equipping your swimming pool with safety features like anti-entrapment drain covers, safety covers, pool alarms, and pool fences.  Even with every available safety device installed, there is still no guarantee that a child will never experience a pool-related injury or accident in your backyard pool, or in a pool owned by a neighbor or family member.

Everything from bumps and scrapes to submersion and drowning accidents are possible in a swimming pool, so it’s a good idea to be prepared for the unexpected by getting trained in CPR and first aid.  Your local chapter of the American Red Cross probably offers courses regularly, and the best time to schedule one is now, before the swimming season begins.

Equipping your swimming pool with safety barriers and devices is a vital step in helping to prevent the worst kind of swimming pool accidents.  Equipping yourself, though, with the skills and knowledge to handle any degree of pool-related injury or accident takes you to an even higher level of responsible pool ownership.