What is a pool alarm system
There are alarm systems to prevent intruders from accessing your property, and systems to protect your home and family from fire, carbon monoxide and other environmental dangers. But if you have a pool or spa in your home or yard, a pool alarm is another security system you may need. Pool alarms are an important part of household safety, and while there are many types of pool alarm systems to choose from, every effective system must include some vital, basic components to keep your pool alarm functional and your pool safe.
First, every pool system must include a command station. This is the ‘brain’ of the system which controls and processes information sent from other parts of the pool alarm. The command station should be positioned away from the pool itself.
You’ll want to set up the remote keypad near the pool area itself. The key pad allows you to turn the alarm system on or off, and additionally set up a timer that allows the system to be turned on automatically. The status of your pool alarm will be displayed on the keypad.
Another element of your pool alarm is an underwater sensor or sensors. The sensors indicate if anything or anyone has fallen into the pool. These sensors are usually placed on the side walls of the pool. The number of sensors you need depends upon the size of your pool. An average full size pool should utilize four sensors for full coverage. In a jacuzzi you will probably only utilize one sensor. The sensors relay information about any activity in the pool to the command station unit.
Should inappropriate pool activity be taking place, the command center then activates an alarm, usually a loud horn that sets out audio over eighty-five decibels. Some systems also include flashing lights to alert pool owners.
Each of these elements in a pool alarm system are necessary. The sensors must be correctly placed and be of adequate number to provide coverage for your entire pool. The keypad and command station must be functional and properly connected to the sensor system to relay information about pool activity.
And why are pool alarms so important? One out of every five children’s drowning deaths occur because of inadequate pool supervision without an alarm system present. That’s a total of thirty percent of all childhood accidental life-loss. Pool alarm systems prevent these tragic accidents from occurring by alerting parents and guardians when someone enters a pool or spa.
Another way to keep children secure around a pool area is to utilize a wrist-band alarm device that is worn by a child and activates an alarm and flashing light from a portal base station when the child’s wrist band touches the water. This type of alarm system works well at locations away from home, too, if you or your family are staying at a hotel pool, near a lake or attending a pool party, this type of system can provide excellent, additional peace of mind.
