Are Automatic Pool Covers Safer than Pool Safety Cameras?

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.  If you would like more information on the benefits of automatic pool covers, please visit our safety link at www.pcs-se.com.

Water Safety and Automatic Safety Pool Covers

 National Water Safety and Automatic Safety Pool Covers

It's that time of year again!  Summer is quickly approaching and with it brings a whole host of water-time activities.  Whether you already have a pool in your backyard or you're planning to build one, protecting children from open pools should be your number one concern.  Too many unnecessary accidents take place every year with child drownings that could have been otherwise avoided.  Being a recent and first-time mother, I was shocked to learn that drownings are the number two cause of death in children under 5 years old.  I was additionally alarmed to learn that child drownings are a silent death; you won't hear any splashing or cries for help. The most saddening statistic states that most child drownings happen within 5 minutes of parent or caregiver being distracted by common distractions.  

 

National Water Safety Month reminds us that there are a number of things we can do to promote our own water safety:

 

1.) Teach your child to swim.

2.) Never leave your child unsupervised.

3.) Make sure your caregiver knows how to swim and is CPR certified.

4.) Have safety items around your pool for an emergency-cell phone and rescue equipment.  After a drowning, start care immediately. Seconds count!

5.) Install locks and alarms on doors that lead to the pool.

6.) Install an Automatic Safety Pool Cover. 

 

Automatic Safety Pool Covers are safety products.  In less than a minute and with a turn of a key, you can close/cover your pool.  This ensures that you control who gets in your pool and when.  Recently we had a customer call us to share her story.  They were in the process of moving and their little one got away from them for just a moment. They were relieved to find the little fella safely sitting on top of the pool cover!   Automatic Pool Covers give you that extra layer of protection because even the most careful parent can't be watching all the time. 

 

For more information on purchasing an Automatic Safety Pool Cover-www.pcs-se.com

 

For additional water safety tips-www.nationalwatersafetymonth.org/water-safety-tips