Want to enhance your garden, improve your lifestyle along with increasing the value of your home, think seriously about a backyard pool. Hours of fun, along with the answer to great fitness, can be attributed to swimming and relaxing in your own backyard pool. I urge you to talk to an expert to design your dream backyard pool because today there is such a variety of sizes, shapes and designs of backyard pools to suit every garden, and once you have an idea what you want, an expert will come up with the right answers.

However, it goes without saying that apart from the happy thoughts and wonderful pictures your mind can conjure up when deciding how a backyard pool will look and be used to suit your circumstances, you should be very aware of the responsibilities and safety issues that need to be considered before you even take a dip.

Magna Latch (for wood & vinyl gates)

It is imperative you check with your municipality to find out what ordinances and local building codes are required. Also, be a responsible backyard pool owner and make sure you install a safety fence which should be at least four feet high with self closing and self locking gates. Try and enclose the whole wet area, if you have built close to the house and the one side is forming a barrier, make sure, if a door opens onto the pool area, it is secured correctly, with an alarm if possible. Too many drowning accidents happen that could easily be avoided with proper preventative care.

Remember, even if you have all the safety measures in place you should always know where your children are, it’s so easy for them to drown. However its not only children who come to grief, sometimes tomfoolery, like diving into the water head first or going down the waterslide head first can result in serious injuries. Drug or alcohol related incidents have accounted for more than their fair share of incidents and ruined the backyard pool party.

Cyclone Fun Slide

There are a lot of safety devices available which help eliminate danger, but nothing beats an alert supervisor, it’s your call.

You need to consider the maintenance of your backyard pool upfront. It needs to be cleaned regularly either by hand or the Kreepy Krauly Automatic Pool Cleaner will do this for you. Regular checking for the proper chemical levels will keep the water healthy for your use and enjoyment. If you live in an area that experiences freezing winters then you will need to winterize your backyard pool.

Another question to consider when deciding on a backyard pool is whether to have it above ground or below ground. The cost for above ground is much less, but you are somewhat restricted to how you use it. Also think about the choices of material – fiberglass, vinyl or concrete. Each has their advantages and disadvantages.

You could consider maybe a spa as an alternative it all comes down to what you want from your investment and how much money you want to spend.

From personal experience I have found that so long as you take on the responsibility of providing a safe environment for all who use your backyard pool, the laughter and fun you can have is exceptional.  If you have children, rest assured they will learn to respect and use the facilities as intended. My children grew to love the backyard pool; it instigated a love of competitive swimming and surfing in the ocean, and believe me, nothing beats jumping into your backyard pool when arriving home after a hot day at the office.

You can prolong your swimming season by going solar, or using a gas heater to keep the water at a comfortable temperature. You can also reduced the heating costs of your backyard pool with the use of a solar blanket; these also help to reduce the amount of chemicals used and also keep your water free from dust and leaves.

Find more information on opening and winterizing your pool.