http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/exceptional-pool-floaties-for-children.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/exceptional-pool-floaties-for-children.html Sat, 06 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0500
The easiest pool flotation devices to come by are doughnut shaped floaties. These floaties are often called swim rings, pool rings, or fun tubes because of their ringed shape. They are the cheapest floaties you can buy and the easiest to use for multiple purposes. From lounging about to diving through like a dolphin, these rings are great, especially for smaller pools. Some of the newer pool rings even have built in water pistols so you can declare war and squirt your friends.

Pool noodles are great fun for all ages. Shaped like long, bendable, foam tubes, these noodles can be used as loungers, water swords, building blocks, and just about anything else you can think of. Children can pretend these noodles are seahorses and ride them through the waves or simply shape them into specialty rafts and float the hours away. Yet, no matter what they are used for in the end, any child will have hours of fun shaping them, connecting them, and playing with them.

For very small children and infants, there are specialty floaties specifically designed with safety and fun in mind. These baby floaties have body catch pocket seats and child safety bars so your child can sit snugly and safely with feet and legs dangling in the water. From animals to automobiles, these specialty floaties come in many different fun shapes and sizes so your little one can be queen of the lily pad or king of the raceway. And all infant floaties come with sun shades so your newborn doesn’t come out of the water looking like a tomato. Children are held securely in the pocket seat and each part of the floatie has a separate, inflatable tube so there is no risk to your child if one section pops. Infant floaties are great for hot days spent in the pool with the whole family.

Many floatie manufacturers today make animal shaped floaties, so each child can have their own unique aqua pet. These large floaties can be inflatable horses, dolphins, frogs, whales, seahorses, and much more, and most of them come with reins so your child can hold on and go for a ride or hop off to swim alongside. A day at the pool is never complete without a good aqua pet by your side.

Poolmaster is one of the best brands to buy when you are looking at flotation devices for your children. They have many specialty floaties like the Poolmaster Aqua Roller Fun Float. This floatie appears to be a large, inflatable hamster wheel that you can use to scurry across the water or just lounge about. Poolmaster also has the Aqua Rocker Fun Float, which is a large, above water teeter totter lounge that allows you to rock back and forth with a friend or by yourself.

All in all, you can see how many options there are if you want to purchase pool flotation devices for your children this summer. So, choose wisely, dive in, and enjoy!

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Gunter Walderon spent many long hours researching Los Angeles pool contractors in order to build the perfect dream pool for his family. He interviewed Lancaster pool contractors, Hollywood pool builders, and Palos Verdes pool contractors in his search. In the end, he went with California Pools and his family has never been happier.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/banish-summer-pool-boredom.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/banish-summer-pool-boredom.html Sat, 23 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500
Fortunately, there are numerous enjoyable activities for today's pool owners that will guarantee that children of all ages will always have fun in the pool. Here are some games and toys that will keep you entertained in the pool all summer long.

It can be difficult to entertain young kids, but there are many competitive diving games that are perfect for children on hot summer days in the pool. A great way to keep the kids busy in the pool is seeing how many underwater rings or other submersible toys they can retrieve. These handy gadgets can be on the water, in the water (floating in the middle), or even at the bottom of your pool!

You can find water toys on the internet, at a local pool supply retail outlet, or, if you want to save some cash, you can just find items already in your house! Older kids will find hours of entertainment diving after sinking glow sticks long after the sun goes down.

If you have a large group of kids and/or adults, poolside volleyball is a great game. One can transform an entire pool into a volleyball court simply by stretching a net that hovers just above the water across the pool and attaching it to portable posts on either side. Older children can easily use a real volleyball, which floats, to play in the pool. Younger children are more likely to get enjoyment from the standard inflatable beach ball.

You can also get basketball hoops that float in the pool. These floating rings that are made out of vinyl or plastic will give lots of competitive enjoyment for parties or other groups of people. Any pool can be a fun zone all summer long with hoops on mini islands that drift with the motion of the waves.

If the old options are becoming a bore, why not purchase the newest pool product on the market. The Sub Jumpa gives hours of entertainment under the water; at the 2008 International Pool and Spa Expo, it was voted the best new pool accessory. Your children will literally be bouncing off the floors and sides of your pool with this new underwater pogo stick. Kids can learn so many flips and tricks to do on a Sub Jumpa that even the most distracted child will be challenged and entertained all through the season.

Some, like hip adults and older kids, prefer a bit more advanced equipment. For them there are remote control planes, boats, and even submarines that all run smoothly, even if your pool is chlorinated! You can also find many types of floating golf games to help you learn how to chip balls onto small islands; some of these islands even have pockets for you to try to make a hole-in-one.

Having a backyard pool opens up so many possibilities. With just a few fun toys and the gift of imagination, one can keep any group of kids happily exercising in the pool all summer long.

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As a pool owner with children, Gunter Walderon has purchased many pool toys over the years. When he first started searching for Valencia pool contractors or West Covina pool builders to add a large gunite pool onto his property, he thought that his kids would be thoroughly occupied for years to come. However, now he purchased few pool toys for himself.


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/pool-safety-for-the-summer.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/pool-safety-for-the-summer.html Wed, 13 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500
Fences - By county law, most U.S. citizens are required to put a fence around their pools, especially if a small child lives in their house. Make sure that the gate in the fence remains locked at all times when you are not using your pool, and make sure the keys to the gate are in secure location. Try to install a fence that is six feet high or higher because most children see fences as challenges and will readily practice their climbing skills to get over one. Make sure yours is tall enough to prevent that. You can find your communities’ fencing requirements at your local county offices.

Alarms – A door alarm is a great way to make sure that your children are not sneaking into the pool, especially if you have a small child in your household that likes to try doorknobs. There are many good wireless door alarms that will do the trick, insuring that no one goes into the backyard without you knowing it. Another great device is a pool alarm. Poolguard alarms are currently the best on the market, according to Good Housekeeping Magazine. They make a loud beeping noise if anyone or anything falls into the pool. Best of all, normal surface tension from wind or fallen leaves does not set it off.

So, if your child, one of the neighborhood kids, or the cat next door falls into the pool accidentally, they can be fished out and saved in no time.

Pool Covers – Pool covers are very important, and yet they can be very dangerous as well. Hard pool covers that completely cover the pool like a shell are the best. However, soft covers are less expensive and the most common. Watch out for these, as children can fall onto them and get tangled up, unable to get out. Also be careful with electric or automatic pool covers. More than one story has been told of a child accidentally hitting the cover controls and becoming trapped in the pool underneath the cover.

Leafy Plants - Leaves might not seem like a big problem, especially if they provide shade to an otherwise sun-blasted pool area. However, small wet leaves can be slipping hazards for children and adults alike. Trees with small, slick leaves and some forms of flowering plants are not good for your pool area, not to mention the fact that these trees will wreak havoc on your pool filters.

Wooden Block – One good idea, especially if you live outside the city, is to place a medium-sized wooden block in your pool when you are not using it. Make sure it is large enough to float and to support a few pounds of weight. The wooden block will ensure that small animals that fall into your pool will be able to climb back out without assistance and before they drown.

Pool Toys – Always have a safe place to store your pool toys. From larger floaties to small plastic rings, there are many different kinds of pool toys and each of them can be dangerous underfoot. Make sure that toys are placed in a storage device of some sort in the pool area or store them in the house or garage. Also, never store your pool toys in the same area as your pool chemicals. Chemicals can easily transfer onto the toys, which will create a poisoning hazard for your children.

Pool chemicals – Many people keep their chlorine tablets, PH balance kits, and other pool chemicals in the pool area. However, you should always make sure that these chemicals are secured. Just putting them in a storage box near the pool doesn’t count; that box must have a lock on it for true safety. After all, how many children wouldn’t want to see what’s inside the big, plastic box? A much better decision would be to keep all pool chemicals in the garage or shed. This will keep them out of your children’s reach and yet still close at hand.

While most of these things are common sense oriented, they are things that are often overlooked. It is always good to make sure that your pool area is safe, especially if you haven’t used your pool in a while. So, before the weather gets too warm, make sure that your pool area is a fun and safe place for the ones you most cherish: your children.

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Gunter Walderon is a successful business executive and, when he researched out the best Beverly Hills pool contractors for his estate, he found California Pools. After visiting several Corona pool contractors, he was the most impressed with the quality and workmanship of the Burbank pool contractors, especially their sculpted gunite pools and spas.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/how-owning-a-pool-will-make-you-feel.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/how-owning-a-pool-will-make-you-feel.html Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500
So how do you like the idea of building a pool in the backyard of your house? In order to see if having a pool is right for you, you should take a good look at some of the common emotions behind it.

Some people think that the possession of a pool increases their communal status. Having a pool is an important part in forging certain neighborhood and professional connections, even if you don't swim. Having a pool not only gives the homeowner "pride of ownership," but it will also increase the value of their home. Groomed lawns and landscape are signs of having pride in your owned home, so it’s not a bad thing.

The beauty of having a pool helps relieve stressful days at the office and other daily stresses of life. The tranquil effects of a pool may make you feel like you are at a luxury spa. The possession of a pool is very important for the personal satisfaction and emotional well being of some.

The possession of a pool is one of the basic requirements for domestic pleasure. Hawaiian Luaus, Mexican Fiestas, and Beach Parties are just a few of the many themes pool parties can take on. When you own a pool, there is an endless amount of ways you can entertain guests.

Having a swimming pool is considered by certain parents an integral part of keeping their children occupied in the summer. Kids can play for hours in a pool and never grow tired. Having control over their child's playtime and having the assurance of fun, safe pool time is a reason that many parents have a swimming pool in their backyard.

The homeowners that have a combination of these reasons will probably choose to have a pool built. To avoid falling victim to a dishonest vendor, it is extremely important to research the pool company prior to signing a contract. The 2006 swimming pool scandal in Sacramento, which left many homeowners with faulty or incomplete pools, is a burning example of why it is imperative to research a company before signing a contract. Before hiring a company it is important to find out their reputation and contact any references that the company offers. The State's Contractors License Board can validate the company's position.

In order to make the emotional satisfaction you seek a reality, you will need to do the research beforehand. A quality company desires a customer satisfied with their pool and encourages research. Enjoy swimming!

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Gunter Walderon realized how important it was to hire good California pool contractors. That’s why he hired California Pools, the best San Diego pool contractors in California. From inground pools to gunite pools, California Pools has built them all. At the end of the day, it’s good to know that you’ve hired the best.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/comparing-gunite-and-fiberglass-pools.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/comparing-gunite-and-fiberglass-pools.html Sun, 02 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0600
Although fiberglass pools are usually thought of as traditional in style, many manufactures are using design innovation to expand their markets. The "tub" of a fiberglass pool is made of shaped fiberglass resin. The existing hole receives the pre-shaped pool, which is lifted into, where it will be joined to the plumbing. After being properly positioned and connected to the plumbing, the remainder of the hole around the pool is filled in with sand, leveled off, and usually complemented with a concrete deck.

The cheaper cost makes it advantageous to construct a fiberglass pool, for both the buyer, and the manufacturer. The ability of a manufacturer to design and construct the pool in a factory, rather than your backyard, enables them to streamline their work in a more productive manner to make it more efficient. Adding a standard pool to a backyard is a great advantage for homeowners and will add a bit of fun and class. Durability and easy maintenance are two great advantages of fiberglass pools. However, there are also disadvantages associated with choosing a fiberglass pool. Most fiberglass pools are constructed in a standard rectangular shape, because the construction is limited in shape and depth. If you are in the market for a customized pool that will enhance your backyard living space, a gunite pool may be a better match for you.

Currently, gunite pools are by far, the most popular type of pools in America. A gunite pool is constructed by digging a hole of the desired shape and depth, installing the plumbing, and creating a grid of rebar for reinforcement of the sides and bottom. Then, the gunite, which is a combination of concrete and sand, is poured around the rebar and shaped appropriately, just like concrete is poured into and shaped by a form. Before finishing a gunite pool, installation of a top layer of plaster around the whole pool will ensure a clean, smooth finish. The last step is to build a deck to surround the pool, most often made of concrete or wood.

The homeowner can design any pool, in the shape they want, with gunite. In upscale homes, when its owner wants a custom look or an endless pool, gunite becomes the best material to use. Gunite is also utilized to make the natural looking "swimming hole" pools featured in home magazines. A disadvantage of such amazing looking pools is their price. A gunite pool will last the longest, however you need to replace the plastic layer every 10 to 15 years.

You will be making a long-term commitment to a pool, so it's a good idea to talk to a pool design firm that is professional. Know where you are going to put the pool, and what style is the best for that area. As custom pools can be expensive, it is important to have a budget set for your new pool. Relax, and enjoy the process. A wonderful place that you can enjoy throughout year is waiting for you and your family

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Doing your homework first is a wise strategy and that’s exactly what Gunter Walderon did before hiring a California pool builder to create the multi-tier inground pools for his estate. Award winning designs for infinity pools and inground spas plus a reliable record as a contractor convinced him to choose California Pools out of Southern California.


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