Swimming pools are great fun for our human friends and family as well as our furry friends. If you have a 4 pawed family member, it’s important to ensure their safety so that all parties remain safe and have fun. A few simple steps can make pool time for the family dog easy and fun.

Make sure they can swim:
If you are not sure if they know how a great starting point is the buy a cheap kiddy pool and get them warmed up in a shallow pool. This will help them get used to the feeling of the water and get more comfortable in it. Then move to the larger pool by swimming with them. This makes them feel safe and keeps you close as they get comfortable.

 
Understand the personality of the dog:
Often people think that certain breeds of dogs can swim or not swim, but please understand that the breed of your dog does NOT determine whether they can swim or not. It depends on their personality.

Life Vests:
There are a lot of options out there now for life vests for your dog. This will ensure their safety and even when swimming with kids or larger crowds, this will make sure they are safe, and they can keep their head above water.

Train your dog:
This doesn’t mean you need to prep your pup for the highest level of training. Simple steps, such as “shake”, “sit” and “come” can go a long way and ensures their safety in many situations, not just around the swimming pool. So take the time and commitment, reward your dog when they do what you ask, this teaches them positive reinforcement.

Learn pet CPR:
Just in case…better safe than sorry.

Don’t drink the water:
It’s often hard to prevent but keep fresh options around the pool area and teach them to drink the fresh water and to not drink the pool water. The chlorine is not good for them.

Provide a shaded area:
Be sure that they have a place to relax that is not in the water but in the shade.

Algae or green water is a very common issues with swimming pools. There are a few, simple and easy steps to help prevent the growth of it in your pool before it begins. If you wait for too long it can take multiple types of pool chemicals and numerous days of waiting for it to go away.

Keeping algae spores out of your pool is impossible to do. However, keeping the spores from growing into algae blooms is the key to keeping your pool from turning green. Swimming in algae water is not safe or healthy for your family and friends. It can create skin issues such as rashes or if you have an open sore, it can create infection. If you were to ingest algae water, it could cause bacterial infections that could bring diarrhea and fever.

Step #1 – Be sure your pool’s circulation system is running correctly
This step is #1 for a reason as we feel that it’s one of the most important steps to help prevent algae from growing. Check the skimmer and pump strainer baskets regularly. This will keep the flow of the sanitizing chemicals even within your pool. Also be sure to clean or backwash your filter. Over time, filters become clogged with dirt and debris, and require some simple maintenance. No matter what type of filter you use, it is necessary to clean your cartridge filter or backwash your sand or D.E. filter whenever the pressure gauge reads 8-10 psi higher than normal. Routinely checking and cleaning your skimmer, pump, and filter will help keep your pool clean and algae free.

Step #2 – Use chlorine & ‘Shock’
Green pool water or visible algae usually equals lack of chlorine. So make chlorine your best friend when trying to prevent algae. If you do see algae starting to form in your pool, try ‘shocking’ your pool. This means you use a large amount chlorine at once. This will kill any algae that is forming within 1-3 days

Step #3 – Brush the walls and floor of the swimming pool
Keep your walls, corners, steps and floor of your pool free of algae by scrubbing them. This will reduce the kill time of the forming algae.

Step #4 – Balance the pool pH
Aim for pH levels between 7.2 and 7.6 to help your chlorine work most effectively. You can do this by using a swimming pool pH test that you can purchase at any local pool store. If the pH is above 7.6 — which is common during an algae bloom — add a pH reducer (such as sodium bisulfate) to your pool according to label instructions. Wait at least a couple hours, then test the pool again.

To enjoy your pool year-round, follow these simple steps to maintain a ‘green free’ pool. Or easily hire a pool maintenance professional to maintain and tackle all this for you.

A swimming pool is mostly known for its relaxing benefits; however, it can also be used for a great exercise tool. Simple exercises can help provide healing, gain muscle, improve strength, increase flexibility or burn some calories. If you have arthritis, back problems, joint pain, foot or knee pain, or are pregnant or obese, exercising in the water will greatly benefit you as the impact is MUCH less than on land. Water lessens the effects of gravity, so you’re able to move your body through a wider range of motion, which improves flexibility and helps heal. Below we provide you with a few simple basic moves that can get you started right away.

Running: Running in the water is a very basic yet effective exercise. Simply run back and forth, from wall to wall. Try to start with the water being at your waist level. However, by varying depth, it will either add or lessen the difficulty for you. This will help strengthen your core, legs and hips.

Noodle Bike: Sit on a noodle, in a vertical position, so that one end is in front of you and the other end is behind you. Peddle as fast as you can throughout the pool. You can either hold your hands in the air to increase the resistance to your legs and abs or use your arms to help you navigate throughout the water.

Standing Toe Touch: Stand chest deep in the water and raise one leg straight out in front of you. Try and touch your foot with your opposite hand, then switch legs. Try to keep your legs as straight as possible and do 3 sets of 10-12 on each leg.

Knee Tuck: Again, standing in water a little over waist deep, pull both knees up and tuck into your gut. Tap your knees with your hands. Put your feet back down on the bottom of the pool and do it again. Add speed to increase the intensity.

Kickboard: One of my favorites because it’s so simple, is to grab a kick board and do laps kicking. Your legs will feel this one and your heart rate will rise.

There are many more ways you can gain strength and flexibility in the water, but the above examples are a great way to get started. Exercising in the water is low-impact and can easily be tailored to anyone’s fitness level. Everyone can benefit from water exercise, regardless of age or agility.

Create your own moves, get creative, and mostly have fun!

Have a party coming up to celebrate the 4th of July? Well, we have some tips to help you make your party the one everyone will remember. No time to waste, it’s right around the corner!

Decorations and music:
Red, white and blue can be used throughout the pool area to add a ‘patriotic’ vibe. At your local party store, you can find simple decorative plates, flags, napkins, etc. However, to add a bit of creativity to it, you can find American flag floaties or inner tubes and throw them into the pool, or roll-up a few red, blue and white towels and have them set aside for those who enjoy the pool and need to dry off after. Another simple, yet creative decoration is to add colorful paper straws to mason jars. Or again using a mason jar, use colored blue and red rice and create layers of white rice in the jar along with the blue and red and place a tea candle at the top for lighting later in the evening. Also, be sure to turn on some low-level tunes to add a nice vibe to the party.

Food:
Get creative with your dishes! Keep in mind finger foods are the perfect party foods, so have dishes your guests can eat with their fingers. A great way to save on decorations and feed your guests is to get creative with your food dishes. A simple and easy idea would be layering blueberries, strawberries and marshmallows on skewer stick. Or make some red, white and blue cookies cups. Check out this delicious recipe here: https://hungryhappenings.com/red-white-and-blue-cookie-cups/

Grilling out burgers and hot dogs is an easy and simple way to serve food as well, especially when you are cooking for a large group. Also take note, that many people eat differently, so be sure have a wide variety of foods to ensure all your guests are happy and feed.

Prepare your pool:
Clear the pool deck of any clutter. Remove everything you can except furniture, pool toys and necessary pool accessories. Check your deck for any cracks or chips and repair what you can to make sure your guests are safe. If you can’t repair it, try using furniture to cover up the broken areas.

Also, be sure to test and balance your pool water, and check your pool pump in advance, so the water is safe, clean and comfortable for your guests.

For the adults:
Creating a party drink for your gathering adds a level of fun to your gathering. Be it a traditional margarita or creating your own signature drink. (Tip: Frozen drinks are fun for those hot summer nights). Whichever you decide, be sure to have options for people and have plenty of drinks for your adult guests. Also, be sure you have water available, don’t forget the basics. It’s hot out there, so water is necessary to make sure your guests stay hydrated.

For the kids:
Fun drinks, games and of course sparklers! Simple creative drinks can add so much fun for the kids. Like these Ocean Water drinks.

Recipe:

• 3 ounces of blue fruit punch
• 2 ounces of 7UP or Sprite
• 2 teaspoons of sweetened lime juice
• 1 tablespoon of pineapple juice
• Red gummy fish
• Lime wedges

A few games, in and out of the pool will keep the kids having fun as well. A simple ‘Treasure Hunt’ can entertain them for some time. Grab a handful of coins and throw them in the pool for the kids to dive down and get.

Sparklers for when the sun goes down are a tradition of the 4th. However, keeping everyone safe can be a bit challenging. A great way to ensure the safety of your guests is to use the red cups and a barrier, prepare your ‘Sparkler Cups’ in advance so it’s easy to manage during the party.

Have Fun!

Often times when we plan parties, we want it to go well, so in turn we run around cleaning up, trying to replace food that is diminishing, making drinks, etc. Make sure your guests are happy and enjoying themselves BUT, please, don’t forget the point of the party, to have fun and that includes you! Enjoy yourself, mingle and be sure to laugh.

Here’s to a safe and happy 4th!