Use Entry Alert to Greet Visitors or Warn of Intruders

A wireless entry alert has a small transmitter that mounts to any door and a portable receiver that plugs into any electrical outlet. When the door is opened, a signal is sent to the receiver and the person’s arrival (or departure) is announced by a musical tune or chime to greet visitors. Seniors living alone (especially those with hearing impairments) will appreciate getting these notifications when visitors have come or gone.

You can also use your entry alert as an alarm to warn against intruders. Instead of hearing a tune or chime when the door opens, choose the “alarm” mode on the transmitter and it will sound an alarm alert when activated.

Keep Children Safe Using an Entry Alert

It’s nearly impossible to watch little ones every single minute. With an entry alert installed at the entrances to your home, you’ll be notified if your children open the door to go explore the great outdoors.

Use at the Shop or Office

Entry alerts are also good for business owners who want to know when customers or clients arrive or leave the shop or office. Choose an upbeat tune to welcome customers and clients. Your entry alert can do double-duty as a security device — potential intruders or thieves will be deterred when they hear the music or chime and realize that shop owner has been notified of their entrance.

Garage Alert Signals Opening and Closing

If you live in a home with an attached garage, you’ll want to know when someone enters the house through the garage, especially if it’s located at the far end of the house and out of earshot. A wireless garage alert lets you know when your garage door is opened or closed. It also gives a “door status” update so you know at a glance if someone forgot to close the garage. A garage alert operates much like an entry alert and uses a sensor/transmitter to send a signal to the remote receiver which chimes and flashes when the garage door opens.

Expandable…Easy to Add Other Sensors

It’s easy to expand your entry alert system if you start with the garage alert system by STI that includes a 4- channel receiver that allows you to add three additional transmitters such as a driveway sensor, garage door sensor, mailbox sensor or a universal sensor.

And if your home or business has remote places like the basement, garage or upper level where you can’t normally hear the doorbell ringing, consider getting a wireless doorbell extender that connects to your existing traditional hard wired doorbell and extends where you can hear your doorbell from. It even lets you distinguish between front and back doors by adding another transmitter and is a great addition to an entry alert and garage alert.

Driveway alert sensors can be wireless or hard-hardwired. The wireless versions are the easiest to install and some models are now available with solar-powered sensors so you don’t have to worry about changing batteries.

To detect the movement of people, vehicles and animals, choose a system that uses infrared motion detector sensors or break beam sensors. If you only want to detect the movement of vehicles and want to eliminate false alerts for passing animals or people, get the kind of driveway alarm that uses a metal sensing sensor or probe that detects the movement of large metallic (iron or steel) objects.

Most homeowners or businesses use driveway alerts for security. Here are six other clever things you can do with a driveway alert:

1. Protect children playing on the driveway

Do you worry that your little ones will wander into the street when they are playing on the driveway? Set up driveway alert sensors to warn you if they stray off the driveway and into the street.

2. Teen driver alert

Do you have difficulty staying awake at night waiting for your teenage drivers to arrive home safely? You can use your driveway alert to notify you as soon as they pull into the driveway.

3. Protect cars, RVs or boats parked on your driveway

Anything parked outside is an easy target for thieves. A driveway alert will signal you if someone approaches your vehicle.

4. Signals the arrival of guests or deliveries

Get a heads up as soon as your guests’ car has entered the driveway so you can greet them at the front door, or be notified when the delivery or service person you are expecting has arrived. (Older folks who tend to get anxious waiting for arrivals will really appreciate this feature!)

5. Monitor for customers

Businesses can install a driveway alert at the front or back entrance of office buildings or parking lots to be notified when customers arrive.  Perfect for this application is a brand new model that uses a pair of solar-powered break beam sensors to create an infrared cross beam and detect any intruder that passes through the beam area.

6. Surveillance aid for large properties or outbuildings

Strategically-placed driveway alerts can be used to help monitor remote buildings, large warehouses, greenhouses or sprawling properties. Security guards on patrol can use a portable receiver to get alerts of activity in a remote area of an office or worksite.

Summary

Driveway alerts are reasonably priced and easy to install yourself. Choose the type of driveway alert you need depending upon what you want to monitor for — infrared motion detector sensors or break beam sensor driveway alerts to notify you of the movement of vehicles and/or people, and metal sensing sensors or probes to receive alarm alerts for moving vehicles only.

A large percentage of drowning accidents occur when supervising adults are near the victim, but not paying close attention when he or she falls into the water. Oftentimes the victim slips under the water’s surface silently and isn’t noticed until it’s too late. Seniors who suffer from ailments that can affect their vision, judgment, balance or coordination — like epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes or a heart condition — are especially vulnerable when they are near the open water.

New Immersion Pool Alarm for Adults

A new “immersion” pool alarm designed specifically for adults is ideal for protecting elderly and handicapped persons against drowning. “Immersion” pool alarms have a water-activated sensor worn by the user, usually on a wristband. If the user falls into a pool, spa or other fresh water, the sensor immediately signals a nearby base station, which sounds a loud alarm. The alarm continues to sound until it is reset.

Offered by Safety Turtle, the SOS adult immersion pool alarm provides continuous protection to anyone wearing the sensor wristband. (The sensor can also be attached to a lifejacket.) Caregivers and family will hear a loud alarm as soon as their loved one enters the water, even if they don’t hear or see the splash.

Combine with Other Layers of Protection

Many towns and cities have swimming pool safety laws that require homeowners to enclose their pool area with a fence at least four feet high. A self-closing gate with a gate alarm is often recommended or required. These barriers may be enough to keep children or wandering adults out of the pool area, but the addition of a pool alarm that will sound when someone actually falls into the water adds another important layer of protection to prevent accidental drowning.

Protects Boaters and Workers Too

The Safety Turtle SOS adult immersion pool alarm is portable and can be taken anywhere. Boaters can use it as a “man overboard” warning device to protect the captain or crew when crossing fresh water lakes and rivers. It can also be used by businesses to protect workers on bridges or employees who are working around other types of water hazards.  Additional wristbands can be added to protect multiple crew members or workers.

Drowning can Happen Anywhere, Anytime

Drowning accidents are common and can happen anywhere and to just about anyone, but most victims are small children and ill or weakened adults who may not be able to lift their head above the water. If you are responsible for the well-being of a medically-frail adult or handicapped person and have a backyard swimming pool, a Safety Turtle SOS adult immersion pool alarm can help protect them from accidental drowning and give you peace-of-mind.

Seven Things You Can Do With a Freeze Alarm

Installing a temperature sensor alarm (also called a freeze alarm) is a good way to protect your vacation home from temperatures that are too high or too low, but did you know that some freeze alarms can do a lot more than just monitor temperatures? Some functions require the addition of a simple accessory like a sensor, while others are conveniently built right in.

If you want to protect your vacation home or primary residence, or even your RV or boat, here’s what a multi-functional freeze alarm (like the “Deluxe” model by Control Products) can do for you:

1. Adjust the heat or A/C with a phone call

With a simple phone call, you can pre-heat or pre-cool your vacation house so the temperature is always comfortable when you arrive. This is a capability you’ll appreciate year-round and only requires adding a secondary thermostat.

2. Receive high temperature warnings

Be alerted if the temperature in your home gets dangerously high, which can result in high humidity that can damage furniture, appliances and electronic equipment.

3. Receive power outage warnings

Be alerted when there’s a prolonged power outage so you can avoid events like an air conditioning shutdown that can put pets at risk or freezing pipes due to furnace failure.

4. Check up on your house remotely by phone

Call in to find out what the current temperature is in your home or to learn if the power is on.

5. Monitor for water leaks and flooding

Attach a water sensor to your freeze alarm and it will call you if water is detected. Put sensors in problem-prone areas like basements, bathrooms, laundry rooms and attics.

6. Protect against break-ins

Add a motion sensor to your freeze alarm and it will call you with an alarm alert if an intruder enters the house.

7. Receive freezing temperature warnings

And, since it is a “freeze” alarm, it will call you if the temperature in your home dips dangerously low.

Temperature sensor alarm does much more than monitor low temperatures

If you’re stressed about leaving your home, RV or boat vacant, a multi-functional freeze alarm can alleviate a lot of your concerns by providing 24/7 monitoring for intruders, flooding and power outages, in addition to alarming when temperatures hit extreme levels.

For an alarm that delivers on the seven capabilities discussed here, choose the “Deluxe” model by Control Products that doubles as a high and low temperature sensor alarm. It automatically calls up to three phone numbers if there’s an emergency and hooks up easily to any regular landline phone line. And if a landline isn’t available at your location, you can hook the Deluxe Freeze Alarm up to a cellular terminal and still take advantage of all of its functions.

What is a key safe lockbox?

A key safe lockbox is a combination lock with a secure compartment that holds a door key. The shackle of the lockbox is typically attached to a door knob, railing or other rigid fixture near the door. Key safe lockboxes are popular with real estate companies so multiple sales agents can have access to a vacant home. Businesses and rental apartments also use lockboxes to provide emergency workers with quick entry to their buildings at all times.

A must-have accessory for personal emergency response systems

Many seniors and disabled adults who live alone rely on their personal emergency response systems to summon family, friends or 911 in the event of a fall or medical emergency. But as reliable as a personal emergency response system can be, the police, fire and EMS workers will be forced to break a door or window to get inside the home if the patient is unconscious, injured or physically disabled and can’t get up to open the door. That’s why a key safe lockbox outside the home is a must-have accessory for personal emergency response system users. For less than $35 – which is what a key safe lockbox like the one made by LogicMark costs — emergency personnel can be given a fast, safe way to reach the patient without the damage and expense of a forced entry.

Lockbox programs springing up in many communities

All across the country, police and fire departments are recognizing the convenience that a key safe lockbox provides and have begun setting up community lockbox programs, like this one in Round Rock, Texas, for senior citizens and other high-risk residents. These programs make it easy and affordable for residents to equip their homes with a lockbox. When the police department receives a call from a residence with a lockbox, the dispatcher will relay the lockbox code to the first responders so they can enter quickly and provide immediate assistance.

Help first responders help you or your loved ones

Time is critical when there’s a medical emergency, so making it easy for first responders to gain access to your home or the home of an elderly or disable family member is common sense. By installing a key safe lockbox at the entrance and registering the combination code with your local police department, you are taking the first step toward saving someone’s life.

To help you choose the right pool alarm for your home, here’s an overview of the different types of pool alarm systems that work well in above ground swimming pools and some recommended models for each type.

Surface Wave Detection

A surface wave detection pool alarm floats on the water’s surface. When a child or pet falls into the pool, the waves created by the fall trigger the alarm.

How it Works –  This type of pool alarm incorporates an electrical circuit that includes two contacts. One contact rests in the water and the other contact (above-surface contact) rests above the water. When the above-surface contact is touched by water from a surface wave, the electrical circuit is completed and an alarm sounds.

Advantages — Easy to set up, requires no installation. Battery powered (usually 9V or AAs). Sensitive to low weights; good for protecting small pets. Also works in spas and in-ground pools.

Disadvantages — Some models are prone to false alarms caused by wind and heavy rain or falling leaves, branches and objects. Must be removed during swimming.

Featured Models:

Pool Patrol PA-20 Pool Alarm

Sensing ring is adjustable to activate only when an object the size of a child or pet falls into your pool.  Installs in seconds, no tools required. Works in any shape of pool. Corrosion-resistant for long life. Powered by 9-volt battery. Has a low battery indicator. Can be used with a solar cover. FCC approved. Made in the USA. Comes with a 2-year warranty.

Pool Patrol PA-30 Pool Alarm with Wireless Remote Receiver

Same features as the Pool Patrol PA-20 Pool Alarm but also comes with an electronic solid state remote receiver so alarm will sound at poolside and in the house (up to a distance of approximately 200 feet). Remote receiver can work with home security systems.

Subsurface Wave Detection

Subsurface wave detection pool alarms detect movement below the surface of the water.

How it Works — This type of pool alarm uses below-water sensors that are activated by wave-induced pressure changes. There are two basic designs: one relies on the movement of a magnetic float below a magnetic sensor and the other relies on a pressure-sensitive switch.

Advantages — More consistent in alarming and less likely to false alarm than surface wave detection alarms, per a study performed by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Do not have to remove during swimming. Adjustable sensitivity. Also works in spas and in-ground pools. Can be used with a solar cover.

Disadvantages — Most models require installation onto the side of the pool, which is not always possible for soft-sided (inflatable) above-ground pools.

Featured Models:

Poolguard Safety Buoy

This is a brand new design and is the only subsurface wave detection pool alarm that doesn’t need to be installed to the side of the pool or deck. That makes the Poolguard Safety Buoy ideal for above ground pools, especially soft sided pools, spas and small in-ground pools. Comes with a remote receiver so alarm will sound at poolside and in the house (up to a distance of approximately 200 feet). Tamper proof design alarms upon removal from pool. ASTM F2208-08 certified. Made in the USA. Comes with a 1-year warranty.

PoolEye PE12 Pool Alarm

Sensor mounts under top ledge of pool, siren sits on vertical support post outside of pool. Detects objects 15 lbs. or more. Adjustable sensitivity. Automatically resets in three minutes. Has a childproof locking on/off switch with audio indicator. Water-resistant, weatherproof construction. Powered by four AA batteries. ETL-listed to UL standards. Comes with a 6-month warranty.

Personal Immersion Detector Wristband

This pool alarm activates when a person or pet wearing a special wristband or pet collar falls into the water, which sounds a remote alarm.

How it Works — The wristband or pet collar is fastened securely on the wrist or around the animal’s neck. An alarm alert at a separate base station is triggered when the battery-powered sensor on the wristband or collar is immersed in water, such as when a child falls into the pool. Child-sized wristbands come with a locking key to prevent the child from removing the band.

Advantages — Provides continuous protection to the wearer with no risk that the unit has been deactivated while others are swimming or the pool is being cleaned. Alarms immediately. No setup or installation. Portable — can be used on a boat or brought on vacation. Works in all sizes of pools or spas.

Disadvantages — Alarm could activate and false alarm when the wristband becomes wet from normal activities like washing hands or walking in the rain. Does not protect children or pets who are not wearing special wristbands or collars.

Featured Model:

Safety Turtle Pool Alarm

Base station alarms instantly when wristband/collar are immersed in water and continues to sound until it is reset. Works in all fresh water (pools, spas, lakes, ponds or rivers). Children like wearing colorful turtle wristbands. Expandable – easy to add wristbands and collars of the same color. No installation required. Can be used with the Safety Turtle Wireless Gate Alarm. Comes with 12-month warranty on base station and accessories; 6-month warranty of turtle sensors.

Increase Your Layers of Protection

Pool alarms provide invaluable protection for children and pets and are often required by law.  For an additional layer of protection, your pool alarm should be used in conjunction with other types of alarms — such as a gate alarm, window alarm and door alarm — which will alert you when an unsupervised child or pet first enters the pool area and before they get near the water.

Kate and Bob made a list of the key features they needed and began comparing personal emergency response systems until they found the one that fit the bill. If you are also shopping around for one of these systems, you might want to use their checklist to narrow down your choices:

1) Extended Range is Critical

Bob’s father — the “senior” Mr. Gibson – enjoys the outdoors and likes to take care of his own yard, which means mowing the lawn in the summer and shoveling the driveway in the winter. That made range the most important feature of a personal emergency response system for his lifestyle.

“The majority of personal emergency response systems only work within 50 feet of their base station,” Kate explained, “or what we like to call ‘within shouting range.’ These systems are virtually useless to my father-in-law. He would be out-of-range immediately whether he’s in his backyard or at the other end of his house!”

They did find one system – the wireless Freedom Alert – that has a maximum range of 600 feet (clear line-of-sight) from base station to pendant transmitter. Using the Freedom Alert’s test button, it was easy for Bob to confirm that the 600-foot range was adequate for Mr. Gibson’s home and yard. (Because home sizes vary, it’s a good idea to always check distance.)

2) Two-Way Communication with Family and Friends

Mr. Gibson, who has no serious health issues, lives within a couple of miles of his two children and has friendly neighbors up and down the block. His son Bob knew that if his father needed to reach out for help, he’d prefer to call someone in the family or one of his neighbors and not some stranger. So, requirement #2 was the ability to dial up family or friends if there was an emergency.

“Dad has his own people nearby, so he doesn’t need one of those emergency call systems that are answered by a central monitoring station,” Kate said. “His family or friends can be there in an instant to help him and all of us are capable of deciding if the police or an ambulance is needed.”

Again, the Freedom Alert personal emergency response system met their criteria. It’s the world’s smallest cordless speakerphone and can be programmed with up to four phone numbers. The Freedom Alert pendant — which can be worn on a lanyard or around the wrist, clipped to a belt or attached to a wheelchair — lets users have two-way conversations with family, friends (or a 911 operator) instantly from anywhere in or around the home.  A handy emergency wall communicator, sold as an accessory, can be mounted near the bed or shower to ensure two-way emergency communication in critical locations like these.

3) A 911 Backup Plan

Knowing that there’s always the possibility that Mr. Gibson could have a medical emergency where he’s unable to speak or none of his family or friends were home when he called them, having a backup plan was #3 on Bob and Kate’s list of requirements. Ideally, they wanted a personal emergency response system that would automatically call a 911 operator in these circumstances.

It turns out, the Freedom Alert is one of only two systems authorized to call Emergency 911 automatically and it’s the only system that can also dial up to four programmed phone numbers. If a live person doesn’t answer one of the four phones, Freedom Alert calls 911. It also offers the option of dialing 911 only.

A 911 operator will be able to identify the user’s address whether Freedom Alert is dialing via a standard phone line or a cable company phone line (VoIP), which is especially important in emergency situations where the user is unable to speak. Note, however, that users of VoIP phone service should check with their VoIP provider to confirm that they are 911-integrated and that their home address is registered so that emergency services personnel will be able to locate them when 911 is dialed.

For homes without a landline phone or VoIP, the Freedom Alert can also be used with a GSM or CDMA cellular terminal. Some models, like the Axesstel fixed wireless voice terminal, have an “assisted GPS” feature that can accurately determine the location of the caller in case of an emergency as long the area has E911 coverage.

4) No Monthly Fees

Like so many seniors, Bob’s father lives on a fixed income and that made avoiding an expensive long-term contract with an emergency response service #4 on Bob and Kate’s checklist.

“For a one-time purchase price, we were able to buy Dad a Freedom Alert system that he owns and can use forever,” Bob said. “There are no monthly charges or monitoring fees with the Freedom Alert and he still gets 24/7 coverage. He’s had it for six months now and we’re really pleased. Freedom Alert was the only personal emergency response system that met all of our criteria and costs less than $300.”

Poor mom was fatigued and frustrated almost every single night. Like so many older people, she was a poor sleeper and rarely slept straight through to daybreak. “It’s just awful not knowing what time it is, especially in the middle of the night,” she said. “I never know whether morning is coming in one hour or five hours!”

A projection alarm clock — which displays the time onto a wall or ceiling — turned out to be the answer to Mom’s problem. The numbers it projects on either the ceiling or wall are large enough for most people to read without glasses. And many projection clocks have a swivel feature that makes it easy to point the display at exactly the right spot where the numbers can be seen just by glancing up.

The first night my mother tried out her new projection clock (hers is made by Electrohome), she was thrilled to be able to see what time it was without twisting in bed or fumbling for her reading glasses. She also appreciated some of the clock’s other features, including a built-in AM/FM radio and MP3 player and the “self-set technology” that automatically restores the time, date and alarm settings after a power outage. Her projection clock even has something called “WakeUp technology” that allows the morning alarm to operate during power failures.

Since Mom was so happy with her projection alarm clock, we decided to get one for our college-aged son who was having difficulty getting up for classes. In addition to projecting the time directly above his head in big, readable numbers that he can’t possibly miss, his Magnasonic projection clock has a motion-activated sensor that puts the alarm into snooze mode when he waves his hand over its infrared sensor. It also has the ability to automatically disable the alarm buzzer on Saturdays and Sundays so he can sleep undisturbed on weekend mornings. Needless to say, the “weekend-skip” function is his favorite feature!

Never Heard the Splash

Many families of young drowning victims report that they never heard a splash when the child fell into the pool and slipped below the water’s surface. Oftentimes one parent mistakenly thinks the other parent is watching the child and in reality, no one is supervising! In California, a babysitter went inside to use the bathroom for a few minutes and while she was gone, the two toddlers in her charge opened a sliding door and found their way to the pool. One drowned and the other suffered permanent brain damage.

Pool Safety Begins With a Fence

Nearly every state has strict pool safety laws for public swimming pools, but backyard pools and spas are typically regulated by local municipalities. Many towns require a fence around the pool area (minimum four feet tall) with a self-closing and self-latching gate. And while fences are a good first step to prevent accidental drownings, there are additional steps a homeowner can take to improve pool safety.

Gate Alarm and Door Alarm are Next Layers of Protection

In addition to a fence, many communities require a gate alarm that sounds an alert when someone passes through the fence to the pool area. While a gate alarm works well to protect entry from outside the home, households with young children should also install a door alarm on all doors that lead from inside the home to the pool area. With a door alarm, a siren will sound as soon as an unsupervised child pushes open a door and before he wanders into the backyard and toward the pool.

Pool Alarm is the Ultimate Backup

Incredibly, many pool owners report that they tend to ignore the siren of their gate alarm and door alarm because “it goes off every time someone opens the door!” or when they are hosting a pool party with lots of people and activity. That’s why a pool alarm, which will emit a piercingly loud siren when a person (or pet) actually enters the water, is the ultimate backup alarm system for pool safety. And since a pool alarm’s siren is heard outside the house, it can also alert nearby neighbors so they can respond to the emergency should the homeowners be out.

Different Types of Pool Alarms

Some pool alarms are designed specifically for above-ground pools and others for in-ground pools. There are also different modes of detection. A traditional “surface wave detection” pool alarm activates when someone or something disturbs the surface of the water which creates a waving action. The more advanced “subsurface wave detection” pool alarm detects displacement under the water’s surface, thus it’s less likely to false-alarm for wind or small objects falling into the water. Finally, there are “water immersion wristbands” pool alarms that trigger an alarm at a base station when the wearer gets wet. Water immersion wristbands and sensors are available for children, pets and even adults.

Make Pool Safety a Priority

A backyard swimming pool can provide years of family fun, but homeowners should make pool safety their first priority and take all the steps necessary to protect children, guests, pets and even trespassers. Layers of protection work best, beginning with a fence equipped with a gate alarm; next, a door alarm on every household door that opens to the pool area; and finally, a pool alarm that serves as the ultimate backup alert to signal you and neighbors if someone falls into the water.

1. Check roof and gutters — Interior water damage often originates at the top of the house on the roof, so grab a ladder and check your roof for missing or broken shingles. While you are up there, inspect flashings and joints around chimneys and skylights. Bring a bucket with you to scoop out leaves and branches that are clogging gutters and valleys and finish by flushing gutters and downspouts with a garden hose.

2. Inspect attic for leaks and water stains – Not all roofing problems are visible from the outside, so go in your attic and inspect the underside of the roof and rafters for leaks or water stains. If you see evidence of leakage, wet that section of the roof with a garden hose and check the attic again for drips. To monitor a suspect area in the attic, setup a water sensor alarm that will alert you of new leaks. DIY-ers may be able to handle simple roofing repairs with caulking or by replacing a few shingles, however, consider calling a professional roofer if you need to replace the entire roof.

3. Examine siding, trim and decking – Over time, painted and finished wood becomes weathered and worn and can suffer from water damage. Take a walk around the house and examine all of the woodwork for peeling paint, moisture buildup and wood rot. Replace rotting wood and repaint or stain as necessary.

4. Check basement for water – Spring thaws are a major cause of basement flooding, along with poor lot drainage, blocked gutters, clogged downspouts, and cracks in the basement floor and walls. Inspect your basement for signs of dampness and make repairs immediately to avoid future problems. If your basement is prone to flooding, it should be equipped with a sump pump to draw water out of the basement and pump it far away from the foundation.  A water alarm and flood sensor will alert you via an audible siren and/or a phone call of water in the basement before extensive damage is done.

5. Seal doors and windows – Do a visual inspection of all windows and doors. Look for air leaks around doors and windows and for places where caulking has become brittle or loose. Also check for cracked windows and torn screens. Recaulk joints, replace broken windows, and repair ripped screens.

6. Service air conditioner (A/C) – Spring is the best time to service your air conditioner, before the first heat wave strikes. If your home has window A/C units, clean the filters and coils of dust and debris to ensure optimal performance. Central A/C systems should be inspected by an HVAC professional before the cooling season begins; however, there are regular maintenance tasks that DIY-ers can perform themselves, including changing filters and cleaning the condenser and evaporator. To save on cooling costs, replace your old thermostat with a programmable thermostat that will automatically raise the air conditioning temperature when the family is out of the house or sleeping.

7. Prepare for pool opening – For do-it-yourself tips on opening a pool, go to: A DIY Guide to Opening a Pool for the Season. If the job is too big to do yourself, call a local pool service company early in the spring to get on their schedule. Be sure to check with state and local governments to ensure that your pool and spa complies the latest pool safety codes (such as the 2007 Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act). Most towns require a four-foot⁺ tall fence with a self-closing gate and some municipalities also require a pool gate alarm as an additional layer of protection. For triple protection, safety guidelines recommend using both a pool gate alarm and a pool alarm to protect children who succeed in getting past the gate alarm.

With temperatures rising and daylight saving time returning, now is a good time to get started with this Spring Home Maintenance Checklist…and begin planning your Memorial Day barbecue!