Pool alarms are an excellent way to alert adults when children and even pets have entered or accidentally fallen into the family pool. Installing a pool alarm can dramatically reduce the incidence of tragic accidental drowning by making adults aware of the situation with enough time to act. In fact, many authorities are requiring pool alarms. France, for example, has increased safety standards for private pools, requiring fencing and pool alarms, among other safety features.

Swimming pool alarms come in many shapes and sizes, with varying features and costs. Among some of the more widely available and popular pool safety alarms are alarms with the following features.

Wireless pool alarms with units that can be mounted inside the house or traveling units that can move around the home and yard with adults. Wireless pool alarms ensure you can always be in range of the sounding device.

Pool fence alarm units give the ability to alarm the fence itself. With pool alarms fence level, wanderers can be stopped before ever reaching the water. The pool alarm sounds when the gate of the fence is breached, rather than waiting for children to reach the pool.

Pool entry alarms protect by monitoring movement in the water. When a child or animals jumps or falls into the pool and the water is disturbed, the alarm will sound. Usually an external alarm sounds at water’s edge, along with an installed or mobile unit (as previously mentioned), as it is likely the pool area will not be monitored when a pool safety alarm is most needed.

Swimming pool door and window alarms are meant to be installed on any door or window that can lead directly from the house to the pool area. They are crucial if the pool area is directly accessed from a house door, or if a house window opens above the fenced pool area.

Pool cover alarms work similarly to pool entry alarms, sounding the alert when the cover is lifted or disturbed. This includes sounding when a child or pet falls or ventures onto the cover. Since a cover falling in under the weight of a child can severely impede rescue, or their chances to escape on their own, pool cover alarms are invaluable.

A children’s pool safety alarm can look like a fun watch-like accessory to a child, but is a great protector against pool accidents, and can travel to other pools or even the beach. An alarm unit stays near the adult in charge, and the ’watch’ is worn on the child’s hand. If the watch is immersed in water, the alarm will sound. The child’s wrist unit can only be removed by the adult with a key.

These pool alarms and many other safety devices can be found anywhere pool alarms, supplies, or pools are sold. The need to alarm a pool varies in importance for every homeowner depending on the kind of pool, its location, and household members, but the small added expense can save a lifetime of anguish. Even homes without small children and pets should consider a pool alarm, as one can never tell when a curious neighbor-child will go exploring. Pool safety is an issue for every pool owner.