When people think of swimming pool hazards, they usually think of drowning — particularly since it is a leading cause of accidental death for children.
But there’s another hazard — often overlooked, silent, and potentially deadly — that can lurk for unsuspecting pool owners and swimmers.
It’s electrical and, tragically, it lurked for a 9-year-old girl nearly four years ago in the Sacramento-area city of Citrus Heights when a faulty light fixture electrified the water and led to her death, as it did before her for a 43-year-old man in Palm Springs in 2016.
Keeping pools and, in turn, their occupants safe from hidden electrical hazards begins with an annual inspection by a licensed electrician or pool contractor that also applies to hot tubs and spas.
These qualified professionals inspect all the working parts to ensure safe and proper underwater lighting fixtures and that life-saving devices like ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) and all grounding and bonding systems are functioning properly to prevent electrical hazards.
“Since swimming pools, hot tubs, and spas bring water and electricity close together, these inspections are critically important,” said Ted Gribble, senior manager of Enterprise Risk Management & Public Safety at Southern California Edison. “It is also paramount, though, for everyone’s safety, that pool owners or unlicensed cleaning crews never do these inspections.”
Qualified electricians and pool contractors will not only inspect but, where needed, replace or upgrade electrical devices and equipment to prevent serious injuries.
The leading threats, especially in pre-1980s pools, are faulty underwater lighting, power systems that are not well-grounded or bonded, damaged wiring, and defective or nonexistent GFCIs — which should be on lighting, circuits, pumps and heaters in addition to all outlets within 20 feet of the water’s edge.
Permanent or storable pools should never be built or set up under power lines. If this exists, there are clearance requirements, and pool owners should consult SCE’s Local Planning at 800-655-4555 or their local inspection agency.
And the recent trend to create ambiance by stringing 110-volt lights over the pool? It should not be done because it is a safety hazard and endangers everyone in the water below them.
Additional pool, hot tub, and spa safety tips include:
- Use portable GFCIs when permanent GFCI-protected outlets are unavailable.
- Keep electronic appliances and devices at least 20 to 30 feet from the water’s edge.
- When possible, use battery-operated appliances and devices near pools.
- Keep high-powered water squirters away from power lines.
- Carry long-handled cleaning tools horizontally and stay at least 10 feet away from power lines.
- If you feel tingling in the water, exit as quickly as possible, avoiding metal ladders and rails.
- Power switches should be labeled so they can be turned off quickly in an emergency.
- Rescuers should never enter the water until the power is turned off.
For more tips on pool safety, visit poolsafely.gov.