Foreclosed Homes with pools can be hazardous to children

Beware of pools behind foreclosed homes

July 8: Pools behind foreclosed homes can be dangerous for curious children. NBC’s Kerry Sanders looks at how the foreclosure crisis can be more than just a financial nightmare.

CDC Quick Tips. Strategies for drowning prevention

http://tinyurl.com/o3stby

Cryptosporidium (aka Crypto)

Cryptosporidium (commonly called Crypto) is a microscopic parasite, 2 to 6 microns in size that is chlorine-resistant. Symptoms of infection include many days of watery diarrhea, stomach cramps and fever followed by dehydration. Preschoolers and people with immune system conditions are particularly vulnerable. The parasite is waterborne, but it can also be transmitted through food or handling fecal matter. It’s ugly. http://tinyurl.com/c64j8e (more info)

Recreational Water Illnesses (RWIs) – Pool Safety

This is not a pleasant subject but those enjoying pools this summer should be aware of the of Recreational Water Illness (RWI). RWIs are illnesses that are spread by swallowing, breathing, or having contact with contaminated water from swimming pools, spas, lakes, rivers, or oceans. RWIs can cause a wide variety of symptoms, including gastrointestinal, skin, ear, respiratory, eye, neurologic and wound infections. The most commonly reported RWI is diarrhea. Diarrheal illnesses can be caused by germs such as Crypto, short for Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Shigella, norovirus and E. coli O157:H7. http://tinyurl.com/cml5gj

Virginia Graeme Baker Act (Pool Safety)

ALL pool and spa outlets (drains, equalizers, etc.) must have ASME/ANSI A112.19.8-2007 approved covers. All pumps connected to single, blockable drains must have an SVRS or other approved device installed (Vac Alert, Stingle Switch). This includes jet pumps, waterfall pumps, and other water feature pumps. http://tinyurl.com/cpc347

How to convert your pool to Salt Water

I was asked this question this weekend and wanted to get any answer out to everyone. Yes, it is possible to convert your pool to salt water. The big attraction to converting to salt is the water is softer and tends not to dry out your skin since. The additional benefit is you no longer have to add chlorine to your pool as the chlorinator converts the salt to chlorine.

First, you will need to drain your pool and fill with fresh water. In Las Vegas this will cost you approximately $75-$100 for an average pool of 15,000 gallons.

Second, you will need to purchase a saltwater chlorine generator (Pentair IntelliChlor System – approx. price is $1,200.00)and have it wired to the 220V that your pump is currently connected. When the pump turns on, so will your chlorinator.

Third, adding the salt. I recommend you buy pool salt from a pool store as the salt is more refined and dissolves faster. PLEASE NOTE: If the directions call for TEN 40 lb. bags (i.e. 15,000 gallon pool) I recommend adding EIGHT bags initially and testing your waters sodium chloride range. You would need to bring your pool salt content up to 3,000 ppm. You don’t want add too much salt otherwise you may have to drain some of the water and add fresh water to dilute. AquaChek makes salt test strips that are easily find at your local pool store.

As your water maintains a constant temperature above 65 degrees Fahrenheit , the chlorinator goes to work converting the sodium chloride in the water to chlorine when the water passes through the electrically charged plates in the chlorinator. As the chlorine breaks down naturally in the pool (due to bather load, sunlight, organic matter, etc.) the chlorine levels are maintained and managed at the chlorinator control panel.
Please don’ forget to test you water weekly to maintain proper pH and Alkalinity levels. Although your pool is now generating chlorine, it is still a good idea to check weekly….especially here in Las Vegas where wind, acid rain, bather load, etc. conditions can drastically change the chemistry of the pool. Insist on making sure your pool service is testing your water regularly and making sure to balance your pool and spa water.

NV Energy Rebate – Pool Pump

NV Energy Pool Pump REBATE http://ping.fm/EJ6AZ

NVenergy Rebate for replacing your pool pump

NVenergy is offering a discount for pool owners that replace their existing pool pump with a variable speed pump. Pool pumps are notorious for being energy hogs. It’s not unusual for older pumps to demand as much power as many large household appliances (i.e. refrigerator). The latest breakthrough technology allows the pool owner to drastically reduce energy usage from 30% – 90% and save hundreds of dollars per year. The Pentair IntelliFlo, is one such brand of variable pumps, that uses a magnet motor similar to those used by hybrid cars. These permanent magnet motors are fundamentally more energy efficient. Secondly, the variable speed capability allows the pool owner the ability to run the pump at different speeds based on the seasonal requirements.
Compared to a 2HP pump (standard) running between 6 and 12 hours per day at the national average of 15¢ per kilowatt hour in a 20,000 gallon pool, IntelliFlo VS-3050 will typically save between $621 and $1,356 per year!

Realtor Tip (pass it on…)

Realtors remind your clients of NVenergy’s $200.00 Rebate when they swap out old pool pump to variable speed pump. Energy savings of estim. $600 to $1,300/per year

National Recreational Water Illness Prevention Week

The week before Memorial Day (May 18-24, 2009) has been designated as National Recreational Water Illness Prevention Week. The goal of this observance is to raise awareness about healthy swimming behaviors, including ways to prevent recreational water illnesses (RWIs) and injuries. RWIs are illnesses spread by swallowing, breathing in vapors of, or having contact with contaminated water in swimming pools, water parks, spas, interactive fountains, lakes, rivers, or oceans. Injuries at aquatics facilities can occur in or out of the water.

This year’s RWI Prevention Week theme: pool chemical injuries

The theme for this year’s RWI Prevention Week focuses on injuries associated with pool chemicals. Pool chemicals make the water where we swim safer by protecting us from germs; however, these same chemicals can also cause injuries if they are not properly handled. This type of preventable injury leads to thousands of emergency room visits each year. Public pool operators can protect themselves and swimmers by taking these key steps:

• ALWAYS secure pool chemicals: Keep children and animals away.
• ALWAYS read product name and manufacturer’s directions before each use.
• ALWAYS use appropriate protective gear, such as safety glasses and gloves, when handling pool chemicals.
• NEVER mix chlorine products with each other, acid, or other substances.

To access a complete set of prevention recommendations, visit http://www.nspf.org
We encourage pool operators to adopt and promote this observance!
Additional online education on chemical safety can be found at http://www.nspf.org/Occupational.html
Courses are offered on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), chlorine, chemical, and flammable liquid safety.

Additional information about Recreational Water Illness Prevention Week 2009 can be found at www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming