This was the fourth part of the Createyourdeck.com email series. You'll learn the standard personal safety precautions you must take in order to prevent an accident or injury while building your above ground pool deck.
Before starting your project and during the construction of your pool deck you should always have a "safety first" mentality.
Building an above ground pool deck should be something you really enjoy, but a preventable injury can turn into a bad time quickly.
Here are some standard personal safety precautions to remember:
1. If you don't know how or you're not sure how to do certain tasks or handle certain tools, ask someone who knows.
2. If you need to rent any tools, or buy any power tools, ask a staff member at your local home improvement center for instructions and a demonstration.
3. Wear safety glasses. Especially when using a saw or hammer.
4. Always pay attention to your work. Pay special attention when using a power tool.
5. Wear knee pads when working on one or both knees.
6. Do not leave tools of any sort on top of a ladder.
7. Wear a dust mask when doing any task that raises dust, like sawing.
8. Wear tighter fitting clothes because loose clothes are at risk of tripping you or being caught in machinery.
9. Wear hard-soled work boots, preferably steel toed.
10. Know your ability and your physical limitations. Take breaks.
These are generally accepted personal safety procedures. You might discover more good safety procedures through your own pool deck building experience and research.
Most importantly, by following these general safety rules you will reduce your chances of an accident or injury and go a long way to ensuring that your deck construction remains safe and fun.
There is more on above ground pool deck plans in the free open license ebook "How to Build a Pool Deck".
Showing posts with label above ground pool deck safety. Show all posts
Showing posts with label above ground pool deck safety. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Monday, November 15, 2010
Your Pool Deck: Private retreat or play area?
This was the second of the Createyourdeck.com newsletter.
Today I'll show you some key considerations you'll need to think about as you decide how your above ground pool deck will be used.
When thinking about what you would like your above ground pool deck to be, it's best to decide what your primary intended use is.
Of course you're going to swim. But...
1. Will your above ground pool deck be a private retreat?
2. Will it be used for entertaining neighbors and friends at a party?
3. Will the deck be a safe place for your kids to play in and around the pool?
These types of intended use questions will be very influential in helping you make decisions during your deck planning stages.
For instance, it wouldn't make a lot of sense for you to build a lot of privacy screens, fences, and grow tall trees if you want to be the envy of your neighbors and have them over for parties. But it would make sense to have those features if your primarily wanted your pool deck to be a quiet place for private family gatherings or personal relaxation.
Here are a couple of key elements to include in your planning as you evaluate your personal needs and then compare those with the natural landscape of your backyard.
1. Make Room for Foot Traffic
Remember to add space for walking paths if your deck will be between your house and other items in your backyard, i.e. trees, storage, etc.
2. Preserve Picturesque Views
If your yard has a beautiful view or natural elements worthy of being a focal point don't block them.
Plan so your above ground pool deck naturally invites people to admire that view by placing furniture in that direction. Use decking that will have lines leading guests to your focal point of choice.
Good luck and enjoy your pool!
Best regards,
Paul Ottaviano
Createyourdeck.com - How to build a deck around your pool
Today I'll show you some key considerations you'll need to think about as you decide how your above ground pool deck will be used.
When thinking about what you would like your above ground pool deck to be, it's best to decide what your primary intended use is.
Of course you're going to swim. But...
1. Will your above ground pool deck be a private retreat?
2. Will it be used for entertaining neighbors and friends at a party?
3. Will the deck be a safe place for your kids to play in and around the pool?
These types of intended use questions will be very influential in helping you make decisions during your deck planning stages.
For instance, it wouldn't make a lot of sense for you to build a lot of privacy screens, fences, and grow tall trees if you want to be the envy of your neighbors and have them over for parties. But it would make sense to have those features if your primarily wanted your pool deck to be a quiet place for private family gatherings or personal relaxation.
Here are a couple of key elements to include in your planning as you evaluate your personal needs and then compare those with the natural landscape of your backyard.
1. Make Room for Foot Traffic
Remember to add space for walking paths if your deck will be between your house and other items in your backyard, i.e. trees, storage, etc.
2. Preserve Picturesque Views
If your yard has a beautiful view or natural elements worthy of being a focal point don't block them.
Plan so your above ground pool deck naturally invites people to admire that view by placing furniture in that direction. Use decking that will have lines leading guests to your focal point of choice.
Good luck and enjoy your pool!
Best regards,
Paul Ottaviano
Createyourdeck.com - How to build a deck around your pool
Friday, January 22, 2010
Above Ground Pool Deck Safety
Sure, it's only January but it's always a good time to talk about swimming pool safety.
Above ground pools are a little bit different than in-ground pools. You probably won't need to build a fence to keep toddlers and little kids who can't swim out of the above ground pool since they can't climb a ladder... well, at least not without you watching. However, basic safety standards still apply.
You should always have safety equipment nearby like a safety jacket for kids and a life ring. Make sure visitors - especially visiting kids - know your rules before using your swimming pool. And it should go without saying that an adult who can swim should be watching at all times.
For instance, my mom insisted on no running around the pool. This didn't necessarily prevent my friends and I from running, but her constant reminders kept us from getting too out of control. My mom also told us not to jump off the overhead into the pool or go down the slide backwards... but we did anyway.
Just understand that as your kids grow older and become better swimmers there may be some things you just can't control. But if you lay down some basic safety rules when they're young they'll likely have a moment of clarity and remember those rules when it counts the most.
That said, if you're going to have visitors or young kids using your pool it's always a good idea to learn first aid and CPR. There should be classes at your local Red Cross or recreation department.
If I were a lawyer in these lawsuit happy times of ours, I would tell you to write up a TOS agreement that let other parents or swimmers know they use your pool at their own risk. I'm not sure you have to go that far - I hope not! - but it would probably be good of you to let other parents know that you do have safety equipment on hand and an adult who knows how to swim will be watching.
This is important. If you don't know how to swim or if you feel like your swimming skills should improve go take lessons.
When I was living in California a champion long board surfer named Tim Whalen told me that sometimes the best lifeguards around were surfers, because they were also the best swimmers in the water and knew the local ocean conditions better than anyone except the local lifeguards.
He told me, "If you see a swimmer in trouble, you paddle over there and get him. No questions asked. With your paddling and swimming ability, and your knowledge of the water, it should be no problem."
Now, of course we're not talking about swimming in the ocean here. But the same principle applies. Having a good swimmer who is comfortable in the water is always the best safety precaution around.
Swimming pools are great fun and good exercise but accidents do occur, and tragedies unfortunately do happen. But if you put an emphasis on safety and make sure a responsible adult is watching the kids at all times, your pool will bring you good times.
Enjoy your pool!
Best regards,
Paul Ottaviano
Createyourdeck.com - How to Build a Swimming Pool Deck
Above ground pools are a little bit different than in-ground pools. You probably won't need to build a fence to keep toddlers and little kids who can't swim out of the above ground pool since they can't climb a ladder... well, at least not without you watching. However, basic safety standards still apply.
You should always have safety equipment nearby like a safety jacket for kids and a life ring. Make sure visitors - especially visiting kids - know your rules before using your swimming pool. And it should go without saying that an adult who can swim should be watching at all times.
For instance, my mom insisted on no running around the pool. This didn't necessarily prevent my friends and I from running, but her constant reminders kept us from getting too out of control. My mom also told us not to jump off the overhead into the pool or go down the slide backwards... but we did anyway.
Just understand that as your kids grow older and become better swimmers there may be some things you just can't control. But if you lay down some basic safety rules when they're young they'll likely have a moment of clarity and remember those rules when it counts the most.
That said, if you're going to have visitors or young kids using your pool it's always a good idea to learn first aid and CPR. There should be classes at your local Red Cross or recreation department.
If I were a lawyer in these lawsuit happy times of ours, I would tell you to write up a TOS agreement that let other parents or swimmers know they use your pool at their own risk. I'm not sure you have to go that far - I hope not! - but it would probably be good of you to let other parents know that you do have safety equipment on hand and an adult who knows how to swim will be watching.
This is important. If you don't know how to swim or if you feel like your swimming skills should improve go take lessons.
When I was living in California a champion long board surfer named Tim Whalen told me that sometimes the best lifeguards around were surfers, because they were also the best swimmers in the water and knew the local ocean conditions better than anyone except the local lifeguards.
He told me, "If you see a swimmer in trouble, you paddle over there and get him. No questions asked. With your paddling and swimming ability, and your knowledge of the water, it should be no problem."
Now, of course we're not talking about swimming in the ocean here. But the same principle applies. Having a good swimmer who is comfortable in the water is always the best safety precaution around.
Swimming pools are great fun and good exercise but accidents do occur, and tragedies unfortunately do happen. But if you put an emphasis on safety and make sure a responsible adult is watching the kids at all times, your pool will bring you good times.
Enjoy your pool!
Best regards,
Paul Ottaviano
Createyourdeck.com - How to Build a Swimming Pool Deck
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