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  • 8 Reasons a Private Pool is Better Than a Public Pool

    Maybe you're trying to decide whether or not to build a pool in the backyard. Or, maybe you're trying to decide between renting a house with a pool or renting an apartment with a shared pool. Whatever the reason, you might want to know why a private pool is better than a public pool.

    1. Public Pools are Gross

    Private Pool is Better Than a Public Pool

    This is the first reason why private pools are better because it is the biggest reason and contributes heavily to some of the following reasons. To put it bluntly, public pools are disgusting: according the the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the average swimmer deposits 0.14 grams of fecal matter in pool water, usually within minutes of first entering. Multiply that by how many people are going through your local community pool and, well, that's a lot of poop.

    It doesn't just stop there. One in five Americans admit to peeing while in a swimming pool. How many people were at the public pool last time you were there? Yeah. That's a lot of pee.

    Another gross number: about 35% of swimmers don't shower before getting in the pool. This means that they dive right in and within minutes contaminate the water with fecal matter, dead skin, loose hair, lotion, sweat ... you get the picture. The gross, disgusting picture.

    In a private pool, you know exactly who and what is in the water. You can insist on clean bodies only in the pool, and by limiting the number of people diving in you control the grossness they contribute to the water.

    2. Public Pools Will Get You Sick

    All that poop and dead skin in the water inevitably leads to bacteria. Yes, chlorine is there to kill off germs and sanitize the water, but there's only so much it can do. Every time you mix organic contaminants into the water, they consume chlorine, leaving less chlorine to battle off the stuff deposited by the next swimmer. Get enough swimmers, like in a public setting, and there's not enough chlorine to get it all before you accidentally swallow it.

    Next thing you know, you've got a recreational water illness (RWI). The CDC states that there has been an increase in RWIs in the past two decades. The most common is diarrhea, followed by gastrointestinal complaints, skin problems, ear infections, respiratory problems, eye infections,
    and neurological problems.

    With your own private pool, you control the cleanliness and therefore considerably decrease your chances of becoming ill from bacteria.

    3. You Can't Control the Chlorine

    Chlorine is good in that it disinfects, but it's bad because ... well, chlorine is just really bad for you. It was first used as a weapon during World War I, and it continues to contribute to a host of health issues, such as eczema, respiratory illnesses, and even certain cancers. Once you mix organic matter with chlorine, you get some potentially toxic chlorine by-products that have been linked to lung and skin irritation, liver and bladder cancer, allergies, and asthma.

    In a private pool, you can carefully monitor and control the chlorine levels for maximum safety and hygiene. Or, you can opt for a chlorine-free system rarely seen in public pools, such as ultra filtration, ozone, or salt water.

    4. Indoor Pools May Cause Lung Problems

    Private Pool Better Than a Public Pool photo by Dave Dugdale via Flickr

    Studies have been done that indicate that frequent swimming in indoor pools contributes to upper and lower respiratory problems such as lung congestion, sneezing, asthma, lung irritation, and other breathing difficulties. The problem is chloramine, the toxic by-product of chlorine and organic matter. The more chlorine and the more organic matter involved, the more chloramine you have. You can see the problem this can create in a public setting. Chloramines settle just above the water's surface where swimmers primarily breathe. Continued exposure affects bronchial health. There is evidence to suggest that symptoms can be worse for younger swimmers, to the point that many experts discourage parents from taking infants and toddlers to indoor swimming pools.

    Among private pool owners, only the most posh tend to have their own indoor pools, so this issue tends to be isolated to indoor community pools and school pools.

    5. There are Other People at Public Pools

    By calling them "public" pools we're pretty much accepting that other people will be using them. All sorts of people. We would never advocate an anti-social attitude toward your fellow human, but let's face it: other people can be trying at times. Using a public pool means sharing your swim time with people who may not be as clean and well behaved as you might like. With your own private pool, you have more privacy and more control over the company you swim with.

    6. Public Pools are Inconvenient

    First off, they have operating hours. Feel like a night time swim? Good luck finding an open public pool. Having a pool party at Christmas? Not a chance if you plan on using a public pool. A private pool lets you swim at any time, on any day. Do a few laps before dinner. Use the pool area for 12 hours straight or for just 15 minutes. And if you have a heated pool, you can swim most or all of the year during times when public pools shut down.

    Public pools often also have fees for their use. This might dissuade you from using them for just a quick swim, which means you lose out on the benefits of regular swimming.

    You also have to actually leave the house to use a public pool. With your own pool, it's just out the door. This means you'll probably use it more, and that means you'll be healthier from all that aerobic exercise in poop-free water.

    7. You Can Be the Host With the Most With a Private Pool

    Private Pool in Better Than a Public Pool photo by 1950sUnlimited via Flickr

    Some public pools have space available for parties, some don't. If they do, you still have to contend with other pool users, your guests may have to pay entrance fees to the pool, you'll have to make do with the facilities available, and you may have limitations on decorations, activities, and refreshments that are permitted.

    Instead, picture yourself hosting a party beside your private pool. Only your guests are present. You can decorate any way you like, serve what you like. You can plan activities in and around the pool without worrying about any facility policies or other swimmers getting in the way. Even better: you can party into the night without worry the pool will close down and kick you and your guests out.

    8. You Know Where Your Kids Are

    Got kids old enough to go to the pool on their own? With a private pool, you can keep an eye on your teen and her friends as they swim safely at your home. You know exactly where they are, who they are with, and what they are doing. Better yet, you don't have to drive a van full of kids back and forth to the public swimming hole--you can just kick them out the back door.

    Many public pools are terrific places--they can be a great place to get to know your neighbors, they provide a place for people to exercise and play, and they can be an oasis in the summer for people who don't have access to a pool of their own. However, if you have the means or opportunity, it's definitely worth it to choose the private pool every time.

     

  • January Swimming Pool News Roundup

    It might be the middle of winter, but there's plenty going on with swimming pools right. We've collected some recent swimming pool news for your enjoyment.

    Cow Rescued From Oregon Swimming Pool

    McMinnville cow rescue

    In McMinnville, Oregon, a cow wandered through an open gate and right into a family's swimming pool. The pool owner herded the animal into the shallow end so it wouldn't drown, and even tried to create a ramp to help it escape. However, it was finally with the assistance of local firefighters that the cow was pulled to safety. The cow was exhausted, but uninjured.

    And on the topic of critters in swimimng pools:

    Why Do Animals Fall into Pools?

    National Geographic recently pondered this question on their website, with YouTube clips of animals ranging from bears to moose to baby deer splashing around family swimming pools. Perhaps the animals get spooked and fall in? Perhaps the reflective water attracts them? Maybe they are trying to cool off? Or, just maybe, wildlife aren't so different from us and also enjoy playing in a big pool of water.

    Children Evacuated From Public Pool Because of Prosthetic Leg

    Children visiting a swimming pool in Kent, England, were evacuated when a man's leg was spotted in a changing room cubicle in a room being used by the children to change their clothes. Mistaken for a real leg, the children were quickly removed from the room and the pool facility was locked down while staff approached the suspected pedophile. It was then discovered to belong to a 60-year-old man who had removed it prior to swimming.

    Nine Crocodiles Discovered at a Public Pool

    Nine baby crocodiles found in pool

    Swimmers at a public pool in Queensland, Australia, were somewhat surprised to discover six baby freshwater crocodiles swimming laps beside them. Three more were discovered under tables nearby. What ensued was apparently a Benny Hill-like effort to capture all the little crocs, which was successful with no one injured. Sadly, one of the babies didn't make it, but the remainder were picked up by a local wildlife ranger for release back into the wild.

    Speaking of unwelcome things in the water ...

    High School Swim Teams Sickened by Pool Parasite

    Several members of swim teams in Durham and Orange counties in North Carolina tested positive for Cryptosporidiosis, also known as Crypto. Crypto is a water-borne illness with symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. The parasite can survive several days even in properly chlorinated pools. For this reason, it is highly advised that individuals experiencing any kind of diarrhea upset avoid using swimming pools.

    Have swimming pool news happening in your area? Send us your stories at [email protected] and we'll share them in our next roundup!

     

  • APSP Honors Top Pool Designs

    On November 12, 2013, the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) honored the best in swimming pool designs at the 43rd annual International Awards of Excellence at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino's LIGHT Nightclub in Las Vegas, Nevada. Eighty-eight awards were presented in forty categories, five of which spotlighted international installations. There were over a hundred entries from six countries.

    "This year's winning installations showcase our members' superior ability to transform backyards into magnificent environments that cultivate lifelong memories of fun and family. Consumers seeking ideas as they consider building their own aquatic oasis will be able to view the 2013 winners, and even past recipients’ installations, via APSP.org's new Inspiration Gallery coming this winter." -- APSP President and CEO Rich Gottwald.

    Some of the highlights we liked most here at Poolsandstuff.com include Caribbean Blue Pools & Spas' amazing multi-tiered pool with slide; Cipriano Custom Swimming Pools & Landscaping's cello-shaped pool; Claffey Pools' cliff terrace pool; and Silver Fox Contracting's stunning pool and hot tub in Dubai.

    See the award winners here in this video:

    Getting any ideas for your own home pool or hot tub design?

    *www.APSP.org

    * http://www.newsday.com/business/press-releases/apsp-celebrates-the-finest-in-pool-spa-hot-tub-design-1.6540506

  • Swimming Pool Exercises: Water Walking

    Swimming Pool Exercises: Water Walking

    Water walking in a pool can provide an excellent aerobic workout. It is a great option for those with an injury, pregnant women, or for older folks who want to increase their activity level without putting stress on their joints. Water provides gentle resistance to your movements, which helps strengthen and build muscle. Over time, you can increase your endurance while enjoying this low-stress exercise.

    Water walking is simple: stand in water that is at least waist-deep, with your abdominal muscles firm and flexed, shoulders back, and chest lifted in a neutral position. Walking in chest-deep water provides even more resistance and a more strenuous workout for those wanting to work a little harder.

    You then walk as you would on land, placing your heel down first and following through with the ball of your foot. Try not to walk on your tiptoes, but instead walk normally as you would if you were walking on the street. Remember to keep your back straight and your stomach muscles tight. You can also walk backwards to work different muscle groups. Press your palms against the water to also work your arms.

    While no equipment is necessary, there are some products that can assist you in your water walking workout. Poolsandstuff.com offers great accessories for water walking, such as The Underwater Walker. Constructed of durable PVC tubing and stainless steel swivel casters with solid rubber wheels, it's designed to assist the injured or elderly who need additional assistance walking and remaining upright. It also has armrest cradles that provide extra support and can be attached or removed. We also have an aquatic floatation aid (shown above) for adults who can support themselves in the water in an upright position but need assistance to walk.

    If you have any questions about water walking, or are looking for products that can help you exercise this way, please contact us! We can get you in the water and working out in no time.

    *http://spas.about.com/od/exercise/a/waterwalking.htm

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