There are many types of pool covers available today. However, all pool covers are not safety pool covers. They are the type that are securely fastened down to the pool deck. The covers can be made of mesh fabric or solid fabric. Most important, they must be a certified ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials International) pool cover. The following ASTM standard requirements must be met to be certified as a “safety pool cover”.

• Must be tested and updated regularly by a recognized 3^rd party agency like Underwriters Laboratories.
• Will have a working drainage system. This can include mesh drain panels or automatic pumps for solid fabric covers.
• Cannot have any holes, tears or abrasions that could weaken the fabric.
• Must be able to hold a weight of at least 485lbs (the estimated average weight of 2 adults and one child) to permit rescue operation.
• Must demonstrate that any opening is sufficiently small and strong enough to prevent the test object being passed through. This is the Perimeter Deflection test.
• Labeling requirements must include basic consumer information such as the warranty information, the appropriate warnings as described in the standard and acknowledge the product as a safety cover.

1) Safety of small children and animals is the main reason for a safety pool cover, reducing the chance of an accidental drowning.

Many states require that swimming pools must be enclosed in a fenced in area. Safety Covers may be a safer way to prevent a possible accidental drowning or injury. A fence is a barrier between the pool and someone outside of the fenced in area. The safety pool cover is a barrier on the pool itself. Again, the safety pool cover must be properly installed with no water build up on the cover. 

2) Keeps leaves and debris out of the pool.

Keeping your pool open all year, you should know all about the leaves and debris that collect in your pool. Debris can blow underneath a winter pool cover that is held down with water tubes or other weights. Usually less trash and debris will get under a safety pool cover since it is attached to the pool deck.

3) They block light to help reduce algae growth.

Depending on the fabric of the covers, they can block from 75 to 100 percent of the light from the pool water. By stopping the light, this will reduce the chance of algae growth.

4) Not as much chemicals are needed. Can reduce the pool chemicals usage by up to 60%.

Since the pool safety cover blocks as much light as they do, this will reduce the cost for chemicals. Close your pool with the proper amount of chemicals and then you will not add any more until the spring. If you kept your pool open all year, you would continue to spend money on chemicals.

5) Save water while reducing pool water evaporation.

Even during cold weather, a covered or uncovered pool will experience evaporation. However, with the safety pool covers blocking the sun from the pool water will experience less evaporation. Less evaporation will result in less water usage.

 6) Can help maintain the temperature of the pool water.

Safety covers are not used to warm up the water temperature of the pool water. But if your pool is heated, the safety pool cover can help keep the water temperature warmer than without one. There are solar pool covers that help maintain the water temperature by floating on the water of the pool. BUT SOLAR COVERS ARE NOT TO BE USED AS A SAFETY POOL COVER.

7) Less maintenance when using a safety pool cover.

Cleaning and vacuuming are not needed while the pool is covered. You are not testing and adding chemicals to the water regularly. Brushing the sides is not necessary when you are using your safety pool cover. You won’t have to fish out the toys or other objects since the cover will not allow them to enter the pool.

8) Safety pool covers save you money.

Safety pool covers save money by reducing the chemicals, water, electricity and possibly gas if the pool is heated. All of these utilities or commodities cost money. Pool service companies charge to maintain pools while they are open.

9) Save time from maintenance of an uncovered pool

Time is a precious commodity, so why waste it on maintaining a pool during the winter months. When a pool is properly covered using a pool cover, time is freed up for other activities. Other than keeping the water pumped off the top of the solid safety covers, it is practically maintenance free.

10) Add value to your home with a safety pool cover.

With the investment of this type of cover, security and value are added to your home. The safety issue alone adds peace of mind and value to any home with a pool.

Swimming pool owners have a lot of fun in their pools, but also have a bit of responsibility to contend with as well. The simple fact is that once you own a pool you’ll quickly have to learn all about pH levels, pool chemicals, skimming, pump and filter maintenance, pool vacuums, and more. One area that you’ll also have to quickly learn about is that of swimming pool covers. There are a few different types of pool covers and while it’s a relatively easy subject to understand it is still a good idea to learn the differences each type of cover has. Each one has strengths and weaknesses, and each one accomplishes different things.

The first is just a Winter pool cover. A winter swimming pool cover fits over your pool and works to protect it in a few ways. It will stop leaves and other debris from falling into the pool, which is the primary benefit of one of these covers. But along with that, it can reduce the amount of sunlight entering a pool’s waters which will reduce the chemicals needed for maintenance over the fall and winter. It can also reduce animal related issues by eliminating the opportunity for animals to drink from the pool. The pool cover stretches over the swimming pool and is held in place by weighted bags along the perimeter of the pool. The main drawback of a winter swimming pool cover is safety – it won’t stop a child or pet from falling into the pool.

Safety pool covers are just what they sound like. They take the winter pool cover to another level and provide safety for your family. These pool covers fit over the pool like a basic winter cover would, but they feature straps that cross over the cover and attach to anchor points installed around the perimeter of the pool. These anchor points and straps give the cover the added strength it needs to prevent accidental drowning. Safety pool covers provide all the protection from leaves and debris that a standard cover does, only with the added element of safety. There are only two disadvantages to these covers. The first is that they’re a bit more expensive than a standard cover due to their higher quality and extra components. The second is that they’re a little more complex to install. The straps must be connected adjusted properly, and it’s usually a little easier to install with two or three people.

Finally, there are solar pool covers. These provide an entirely different type of service to a swimming pool owner. They don’t block the sun, don’t protect against falling debris, and won’t stop accidental drowning from occurring. What they’re used for, however, is warming up your water. They can speed up the process of opening up your pool and can extend the summer swimming season well into fall. Solar covers, sometimes called solar blankets, can actually increase water temperatures by as much as fifteen degrees. They’re relatively inexpensive as well. The disadvantage here is obvious, and it’s that beyond warming the water they don’t really help with anything else.

There are a couple of other accessories worth knowing about as well. The first is a pool cover ‘pillow’. These inflate with air and go underneath the pool cover. They’re not designed to help shed water, but instead actually reduce damage done to your pool walls during a hard freeze. They’re effective in an in ground pool as well as in an above ground pool, and well worth adding to your shut-down routine. The other accessory is a leaf net. This net is basically another type of cover that lies on top of your primary cover. Once the fall leaves have completely left the trees