Angie's List

PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ― In the heat of the summer many people start thinking how nice it would be to have a backyard pool. After all, they provide hours of family fun and they're a great way to stay cool. But it's a big decision. In this week's Angie's List Report, Jim Donovan tells you what you should consider, before diving in.

It won't be long before the weather turns cooler and leaves start falling But believe it or not, this could be a good time to decide whether you want a pool for next season.

"Autumn is a great time to install a pool because you can potentially take advantage of end-of-year sales. Pools can be installed for several more months now," said Angie's List founder, Angie Hicks.

But the price shouldn't be the only consideration.

"When consumers are thinking about putting a pool in their backyard a lot of times they are thinking about the fun they are going to have, but they really need to think about safety. When you're picking a pool contractor be sure you find one that has safety in mind and knows about any type of regulations that must be followed," said Hicks.

One of the biggest safety concerns, drowning. And pool drains can be serious hazard. Their suction can be powerful enough to hold an adult under water.

"I spoke to some highly rated pool contractors on Angie's List and their advice was that each pool should have two drains in it, about three inches apart. That way if one drain gets covered, the suction will shift to the other drain and prevent entrapment," said Hicks.

Angie's tips for swimming in a safe pool:

Some states/counties may already require some of these. A good contractor will know the laws and requirements.

Upgrade drain covers. If you have the flat, old-fashioned drains on your pool, upgrade to the one that falls under the new federal standards. These drain covers are especially good at preventing hair from getting caught in the pool and will greatly reduce the risk of someone drowning in your pool from entrapment.

Install an automatic suction cut-off device on your pool's pump. When the device detects an increase in pressure, which is what happens when the drain is blocked; it will automatically shut off the pump and release the pressure. Having this device is always a faster way to release pressure than having an adult run over and turn off a pump.

Fence it in. Your swimming pool should be enclosed with a fence at least four-feet high. Pool gates should open away from the pool and should be self-closing and self-latching.

Cover it up safely. A pool safety cover that meets the American Society for Testing and Materials (www.astm.org ) specifications will provide an added layer of protection. The cover also reduces heat loss and water evaporation. Be sure to secure the cover on all sides and corners so a child can not slip under. Don't let water accumulate on the cover.

Sound the alarm. In-pool motion detectors and alarms will let you know if someone is in the water. They are available for doors, fences, in pools and as a clip-on for children or pets.

Stay behind the line. Place a rope across the pool to alert swimmers to the separation of the deep end from the shallow end of the pool.

If you're building a new pool, install two drains. This will cut the pressure from each drain in half. Often the suction from a lone drain can hold down 400 to 500 pounds, which is too great a force for a young child, and many adults, to escape.

In an emergency, call. Post CPR instructions, warning signs, and emergency numbers, such as 911, near the pool. Have a telephone handy in case you need to summon help.

Lock it up. Store all pool chemicals in a locked location.

Practice active supervision. Never leave children unsupervised in the pool or outside the pool. Do not count on barriers to keep children from reaching the pool. No barrier is foolproof.

Learn how to swim. If you have a pool, make sure everyone in your family knows how to swim. Children are never too young to be enrolled in a swimming program.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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