Swimming, the third most popular sports activity in the United States, provides aerobic exercise which, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, can reduce your risk of chronic illness. Water-based exercise improves the symptoms of arthritis, increases the quality of life of older adults and improves mental health in both men and women. The CDC reports swimmers enjoy about half the risk of death in comparison to inactive people.
Drowning Prevention
Do your best to prevent drowning in your backyard by following swimming pool safety tips from PoolSafety.gov. Install a full perimeter fence that includes a self-closing and latching gate. Place a safety cover over the open water and explore the option of an in-water alarm. Adults should supervise children in the swimming pool area at all times. PoolSafety.gov urges families learn about the hazards of drain entrapment--children ages 5 to 9 are the most vulnerable--and basic water rescue skills.
Energy Conservation
Conserving energy is good for the environment, takes some of the burden off the municipal power grid and saves you money. Circulating pumps, filtrating systems and pool heaters use energy to perform their jobs and keep the swimming pool in top condition. Energy Ideas Clearinghouse, managed by Cooperative Extension Washington State University Energy Program and funded by the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, provides energy-conserving tips for swimming pools. Use a solar cover to warm your pool by up to 10 degrees F with solar energy. Turn the pool temperature down to 78 degrees F, the recommended Red Cross swimming temperature. Replace old motors with new, energy-efficient models and clean your filters regularly, but only when necessary. Windbreaks cut wind exposure and reduce the amount of water and heat lost from the swimming pool. Some models of safety and privacy fencing block the wind.
Caution with Chemicals
Most pools require chemical maintenance. Contact with these chemicals can injure your lungs, eyes and skin, according to information provided by the Virginia Poison Center. If you get chemicals on your skin, it advises washing the area immediately with lots of clear water. Should chemicals get in your eye, it says to quickly flush them out with "a gentle stream of warm water for at least 15 minutes" and call a poison control center. Step outside and hold your breath while opening pool chemicals stored in high temperatures as they may blast you with harmful vapors. Follow the directions on the label.
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