With the weather warming, summer activities are at the forefront of everyone's mind. Backyard barbecues and playing in the pool will soon fill your family's calendar. Before pulling out the summer gear, it's important to meet with a pool electrician to make sure your setup is safe. This guide will help you get started.

What Areas Can Cause Problems?

While everyone knows water and electricity do not go together, backyard entertaining can cause homeowners to overlook potential hazards. Pool lights make it safe to swim at night, but they can be perilous if the wiring is faulty, damaged, or installed improperly. 

Outdoor outlets allow you to create ambiance with string lights or a sound system, which are helpful when entertaining. However, exposed outlets are serious potential hazards. All outlets should be kept dry using outlet covers at all times. 

Electric shock downing can be prevented by having a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) installed. This electric device shuts off the power if it detects a signal that is traveling along an unintended path, such as through water. If you already have this device installed, test it each month to make sure it works. These devices usually need to be replaced every 7 to 10 years, so have a pool electrician determine how old yours is and whether it's due for replacement.

How Can I Keep My Family Safe This Summer?

Knowing how to shut off the power to the pool is  the most important step in the event of an emergency. If the GFCI fails, this quick action can be lifesaving. The pool power breaker box is typically located near the pool pump and filter. 

However, it's more likely that someone can become injured if an electrical device, such as a radio or piece of lawn equipment, falls into the pool while still plugged in and running. All electrical devices and cords should be kept at least 10 feet away from any body of water. 

Lastly, never swim in a thunderstorm. The electrical current from lightning hitting a body of water can cause shock, burns, and even death. Make sure everyone gets into the house safely as soon as you hear the first rumble of thunder. 

Before kicking off the summer, have the pool electricians at Zelek Electric Co. confirm your spa and pool wiring are up to code and operating properly. Located in Old Lyme, CT,  this eco-savvy business offers a wide variety of electrical services for safer, greener homes. They're also available 27/4 to help out after a storm or outage. Visit their website for service details, and call (860) 434-9726 to make an appointment.