When you think of pool safety, the most common topic that comes to mind is probably the risk of drowning. However, there are other dangers which swimmers should be aware of before entering a pool. One of the hazards that deserves more attention is the risk of electrical shock. With ever-increasing advances in technology, people are incorporating electrical features into their pools at a rapid pace. Though the creators of these features have gone to great lengths to try to prevent these types of tragedies from occurring, there have still been reports of injuries and deaths in backyard pools in recent years.
These incidents have a wide range of causes, such as extension cords, power tools, or radios falling into the pool while plugged-in. These external causes can be traced to carelessness on the part of the pool owner or guests who leave these items too close to the pool. Another source of electrical shock in pools has to do with faulty equipment or wiring. In this two-part article series, we’ll take an in-depth look at some of the common causes of pool-related electrical shock and what can be done to prevent it.
Adequate Pool Lighting is a Safety Necessity
Bright illumination is a must-have element for enjoying a safe evening, night-time, and early morning swimming environment. It can help parents to keep a close eye on their kids when they’re relaxing by the pool.
Pool Lighting can Pose a Safety Hazard
Even though we generally associate a well-lit pool with safe swimming, pool lights, especially internal ones, can pose an electrical shock risk. That’s why it’s important to enlist the assistance of a trustworthy professional when you’re installing a new pool or thinking about upgrading your pool’s interior lighting. It’s certainly not an easy, do-it-yourself type of project which you can quickly figure out by watching short internet video clips!
Pay Attention to Industry Standards for Lighting Voltage and Installation
There are already industry standards that have been put into place by the National Electrical Code to help make sure that people don’t die or get injured from electrical shock while swimming. These standards include the use of Ground Fault Circuit Interrupt (GFCI) outlets for areas in or near the swimming pool. These outlets are built to provide a better safeguard against electrical shock than regular electrical outlets.
Working with a licensed electrician who follows industry-accepted voltage standards is an effective way that pool owners can help to prevent electrical shock. Upon exposure to 120-volts of electricity, a person could experience a fatality in the water. A 120-volt system could be safe, however, if it’s installed correctly by someone who knows what they’re doing. But electricians are shying away from using high voltage lighting out of an abundance of caution.
12-volt lights are often installed in today’s internal pool lighting fixtures. The experts understand that electrical shock can immobilize swimmers and cause them not to be able to leave the water. In fact, it’s entirely possible that there are numerous unexplained drownings that take place each year that are actually electrical shock-induced.
Understanding the risks associated with pool lighting and hiring a professional to install or upgrade your pool lights just makes sense. In the next installation of this series, we’ll look at a few more ways how you, as a responsible pool owner, can help to prevent an electrical shock tragedy in your backyard oasis.
Continue Reading about Pools
• How To Properly Care for Your Swimwear
• California Swimming Pools: Hooray for Hollywood!
Lyon Financial: America’s Leading Pool Lender
Since 1979 Lyon Financial has made the backyard resort dream come true for over 400,000 families across the U.S. Through our solid relationships with more than 3,000 pool contractors and our continued commitment to putting our clients first, we have built a reputation as the first choice in providing pool financing solutions. For more information, visit lyonfinancial.net or call (877) 754-5966 today.
Leave a Reply