Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/347447-fun-pool-games/#ixzz1tjmlL3ru

APSP’S WATER SAFETY TIPS

The Associate of Pool and Spa Professionals (APSP)  provides a great list of water safety tips for families and pool owners to keep in mind this season. 

1. Use layers of Protection. Supervision is always your primary layer of protection, but as the study shows, 69% of the drowning incidents occurred when parental supervision failed and there were not other “back-up layers” in use.

2. Toys, tricycles and other playthings should be stored away from the pool area.

A favorite toy left near the water can be a very strong attraction to a child.

3. Never use the pool while, or after consuming alcohol or any drugs. Consult a doctor if taking any medication on a regular basis.

4. Learn safe diving. Diving should only be done off the diving board, and never off the deck surrounding the pool. Know the depth of the water prior to diving, and never dive into shallow water.

5. Fences and gates should meet local codes for safety, including self-closing and locking gates.

6. Floating pool alarm devices with remote alarms that sound in the home can alert you if a child falls into the pool.

7. Automatic, locking safety covers provide an impenetrable means of covering the pool and blocking access to water.

8. Never use glass containers around your pool.

9. Never run or horseplay around your pool.

10. Always have your safety rope in place and have the life ring and reach pool within easy reach inside your pool area.

11. Emergency procedures, including learning CPR, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, are skills that may save a life. The local YMCA/YWCA, the Red Cross and many hospitals offer classes. Also, ALWAYS keep a cordless or cellular phone by the pool when in use ( don’t go inside to answer the phone and leave a child in the pool). Remember: YOU are responsible for the safety of anyone who may be in or around your pool.

Smart Cover Program

Annual Prevention for Your Cover

The Smart Cover program provides pool owners with an automatic cover annual inspection and preventive maintenance completed on the entire cover system. This proactive service is designed to prevent unnecessary and inconvenient cover breakdowns caused by issues that go unnoticed and unrepaired. During this annual inspection, a Certified Pool Technician will complete the following:

• Address any specific concerns or problems as noted by the pool owner
• Evaluate fabric and webbing
• Inspect and clean recessed box of leaves, debris, nests, rodents etc..
• Evaluate and make necessary repairs to the system, end casting, pulley assemblies, tracks, sensors, stops, and guides
• Evaluate and make necessary repairs to motor and drive mechanisms
• Re-align and level mechanism
• Tighten and/or replace all fasteners
• Clean cover pump
• Inspect brackets
• Pressure wash and clean fabric and tracks
• All parts used will be billed at a 10% off

Any new equipment or services recommended as a result of the inspection will be offered to you at that time for 10% OFF all parts, chemicals, and labor.

For a limited only. Some restrictions apply. Contact a customer service represenative for details at 1.88.766.5832.

During the month of April 2012, Pools of Fun is offering 10-15-20% OFF select pool equipment purchases. This is a great time to overhaul your equipment pad. Call 1.888.766.5832 or visit your nearest Pools of Fun Customer Care Center for purchase.

BUY 1 PIECE -SAVE 10%

BUY 2 PIECES -SAVE 15%

BUY 3 PIECES -SAVE 20%

On all the following equipment:

JANDY® in-ground pool pumps and filters

Hayward® in-ground pool pumps and filters

Raypak® Gas Heaters -See Brochure

Raypak/Rheem® Heat Pumps -See Brochure   

BONUS: Heat Pumps 25% OFF

Polaris® 9300 Sport Series Automatic Pool Cleaners

Tiger Shark® Automatic Pool Cleaners

Details: Offer valid on select equipment purchases made between April 1st-30th. Excludes prior purchases. Cannot be combined with any othe offers or discounts. Discount is applied to product only. We reserve the right to install up to four weeks out from the date of the purchase. Heat Pump recieve 25% off, on the 2nd piece purchased you would save 15% on that piece and if a third piece of equipment is purchased you would save 20% off the 2nd and 3rd pieces of equipment. Parts excluded.

This spring, getting a Ph.D. in pH, TA and TDS is easier than ever thanks to the upcoming Pools of Fun pool schools that run April 10-19 at select Pools of Fun Customer Care Centers.

Simply by registering for one of these free in-store seminars, pool care owners will learn why caring for their pool is simple when they know what products to use, seasonal problems to look for and quick tips for balancing their water and maintaining their equipment. A leader in pool care for more than 30 years, Pools of Fun takes the guesswork out with easy-to-use pool care systems. While there, attendees will get the latest information from the industry on salt, ozone, and UV sanitation systems. 

Attendees will also learn how to guarantee an algae free summer. This is just one more way Pools of Fun is making the basics of pool care education more like extracurricular fun and less like homework!

To sign up for a free one-day pool school with certified Pools of Fun professionals and learn the ABCs and 123s of pool care, register online, visit or call your nearest Pools of Fun location.

Pools School Dates, Times, and locations:

• April 10^th at 6:30pm  Greenwood  -2550S St. Rd. 135  click   or Call 317-882-3943
• April 11^th at 6:30pm  Plainfield -3891 S Clarks Creek Road  click  or Call 317-839-3199
• April 12^th at 6:30pm  Brownsburg -475 E Northfield Drive click  or Call 317-852-3944
• April 18^th at 6:30pm  Fishers -11640 Brooks School Road click  or Call 317-915-7526
• April 19^th at 6:30pm  Carmel -1434 N. Keystone Way click  or Call 317-843-0337.

Pool opening should begin when overnight temperatures remain above freezing and daytime temperatures remain above 60 degrees.  When you are ready, Pools of Fun recommends these easy steps:

 1 – Remove pool cover and drain any accumulated water away from pool. Be sure to rid your cover of water, leaves and debris first to limit the risk of all that nasty winter muck being dumped into your pool.

Pools of Fun is offering a cover cleaning service as an optional add-on to your pool opening. Call 1.888.7665832 or click here to schedule your opening and cover cleaning today.

 2 - Fill your pool to the middle of the skimmer opening to allow for proper circulation.

 3 - Check your pump, skimmer basket and filter.

 4 - Circulate pool water 24 to 48 hours, and then take a water sample to your nearest Pools of Fun Customer Care Center for testing and analysis. Our computerized water analysis system by BioGuard provides accurate results almost instantly. You Customer Care Manager will provide you with detailed personalized instructions for starting the pool and getting your water chemistry on the right track to crystal clear water.

 5 - Test sanitizer & pH routinely.

 6 - Routine maintenance is the best way to keep your pool sparkling. And with one of BioGuard’s easy-to-use care systems, it’s as easy as1-2-3!

 For more information, visit Pools of Fun. We can help you choose the right products that will get you and your family enjoying the pool in time for that first warm and sunny day. 

Should children wear them? Do they help kids learn to swim?

As I began the research on this question, I can tell you that most people fall passionately on one side or the other. They either love them or they hate them. As a general rule most organizations that teach swim lessons do not support the use of floaties or water wings. (Note we are not talking about Flotation Aids such as kick-boards or noodles – which are used all the time when learning different swimming methods.)

From the LOVERS

Those who love floaties believe they provide children when a certain level of confidence and comfort in the water. The increased confidence in turns enables the child to spread their wings and fly so to speak. In addition, most parents just like the added security they feel when their child has them on.

From the HATERS

Most floaty haters declare that floaties artificially add buoyancy to a child, therefore the swimmer is not interacting with the water in a “natural way”. This means that the muscles which we learn to use to balance, and move around in water are not working the same way they would if there was no floaty. Kids who always swim with arm-floaties on are not exercising and strengthening the core section of the body, which is what is needed when learning to swim.

In addition most haters realize that parents can become complacent when their child is wearing floaties. The problem arises when there is a distraction and because parents feel the added security – the temptation is there to look away for a moment. If the swimmer needs constant attention without floaties, they need constant attention with floaties.

Children who are given floaties and finally venture out across the pool, don’t remember that they achieved such a great milestone Because of the floaties. All they remember is that they can “swim” across the pool! If they happen to get to the pool area without an adult present, they may feel overly confident and try again without the floaties. Therefore part of learning to swim safely is knowing your limits and most haters believe floaties give children a false sense of security.

BOTTOM LINE

Regardless of which side you fall on, remember the best thing you can do for your child is to help them learn to swim whether it is with or without floaties is your  parental choice. Additionally, never rely on only one means of protecting your child in and around water. Adult Supervision is vital to your child’s swim safety.

To help your kids get creative, tell them to think about the following as they begin their design:

• Pool Safety -This is a good way to introduce pool safety to your children. Explain how they should perhaps include a life ring bouy, swim safety rules, or draw a fence around their pool.
• Pool Sports & Games -Perhaps its a Volleyball net, Basketbal goal, Diving Board, or Slide that gets your kiddos excited. Encourage them to make their design not only safe but fun for everyone.
• Water Features – Every child loves to play with moving water.
• Pool Patio & Plants - Draw the shape of your pool patio and add some colorful plants or trees to creat the perfect atmosphere.  Add some patio equipment or a walkway.

PREP: 25 minutes TOTAL: 1 hour 10 minutes (8 minutes per batch)

Ingredients (Serving size: 30)

½ cup butter, softened

¾ cup light brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/3 cups rolled oats (oatmeal)

1/8 teaspoon salt

Whipped Cream Dipping Sauce

¾ cup heavy cream

¼ cup sour cream

1 tablespoon sugar

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350 F degrees. In a large bowl beat butter and sugar to combine. Add vanilla, beating to combine.
2. Add oatmeal and salt, mixing to combine.
3. Drop cookies by level teaspoon on baking sheet, 3 inches apart. Bake 8 minutes or until lacy and flat. Let cook on rack about 3 minutes until just firm. Move to rack to cook completely.
4. Whipped cream dipping sauce: Whisk heavy cream, sour cream and sugar together until light and holds a soft peak.

PLAINFIELD, Ind. ­ (January 24, 2011) -Pools of Fun, Indiana’s largest pool company, brought home the APSP Region 5 Gold Design Award of Excellence from the 2012 Mid America Pool and Spa Show this past week, confidently establishing it as not only one of the largest pool companies but one of the BEST.

Gold Design Award Winner - Zionsville, Indiana

This annual swimming pool design award competition recognizes the best pool designs and is open exclusively to APSP Region 5 members. Entries were received from pool companies all across the mid-west. APSP, Association of Pool and Spa Professionals, is the world’s largest international trade association representing the swimming pool, spa, and hot tub industry. Members adhere to a code of business ethics and share a commitment to public health and safety in the use of pools, spas and hot tubs. APSP member companies include manufacturers, distributors, manufacturers’ agents, designers, builders, installers, suppliers, retailers and service professionals.

Since 1981, Pools of Fun has grown to become a nationally respected industry leader offering new pool construction, designs, supplies and service. In addition to six customer care centers surrounding Indianapolis, Pools of Fun operates a comprehensive service department that caters to all of Central Indiana.

 ”We’re out to offer our customers the best, from the pool they select to the chemicals and maintenance care they receive after their investment. We want to prove to our customers that, when it comes to choosing pool companies, there is a difference and this award validates it,” said Tim Colón, President of Pools of Fun.

For more information about Pools of Fun visit www.poolsoffun.com or call 1-800-536-3387.  For more information about APSP please visit APSP.org.