Pool Steps

Swimming pool is a big eye catcher for kids. Unfortunately for kids who were born hydrophobic, it is a frightening sight for them. But who wants to get bored on summer days. Let swimming be a part of their childhood. It’s not only a good exercise but also a way of conquering their fears. Never sacrifice safety and so make every bit of your pool harmless. Yet make everything kid-friendly from pool design, toys and also the pool steps. It’s the first thing a first-time kiddo encounters and it must be a no scary one.

Pool steps are part of the essentials of swimming pools and their presence should be inviting. There are things you need to take note of for your starting swimmers. Whether you are about to install a new pool and refurbish an old one for your little angels, the pool steps’ color, position, structure, design, and composition should be well fitting.

Color is what makes anything attractive. Kids would love to see things in pastel or striking neon colors. Find or paint your swimming pool steps with colors like neon green, or bright yellow, or dazzling pink. Or better yet have it clean white. White connotes safety and assurance for kids. Just make sure the color of the steps stand out against the pool’s inner wall color. A first time swimmer would rather go for the steps than plunge right away in the water so it must be visible. Don’t hinder your thoughts for creativity. Have somebody draw your kids favorite superhero or cartoon character on the steps. This will allow your kids to gather near the steps since it is likely the safer place for first-timers in a swimming pool.

Size matters especially for above ground pool steps. The height of above ground pools already heightens their fear of the water; thus, make it wider, so kids know that what they are stepping or sitting on is huge enough for them. Depending on the depth of water, three steps will do for children’s pool. The same preferences apply to inground pools.

The position of the pool steps should also be well planned. In a round pool, steps are to be placed adjacent to doors, entrance, or paths. This is extra helpful for above ground pools steps so your children will not have hard time looking for it. For polygon shaped pools, they are better off situated on the edges. Take a chance of having more than one set of step – you may have one for entrance and another for exit. This will help flow traffic of swimmers. Moreover, position the steps in a way that will somehow divert an anxious swimmer’s attention from the blue water.

Handrails provide assistance and safety. Steel handrails maybe durable but they can be hurting for playful kids. Plastic ones are common in the market with easy and non-slip grip. If you cannot, however, do away with steel handrails, you can splash some imagination into it. Elongated inflatables such as cylinder can be taped around handrails. Just see to it that these inflatables are slender enough for kids to grab on. This is practical when your family goes for out-of-home pool plunging. Toys will certainly disrupt your children’s fear of water and placing them on the rails will comfort them.

If you are setting up new inground pool or putting another above ground pool, you might consider wedding cakes as shapes for steps, they are good looking too. Concrete is the most available material but it can become slippery when wet. Add some bulges or grooves on the surface of each step. This will help prevent slips. For above ground, you can purchase pool steps with a back up ladder. Most of these products are made of plastic, fiberglass or polyethylene, which makes a good non-slip result. It comes with UV ray protection so it will not wear out soon. Others feature perforated steps to allow water to pass through and prohibit dead water accumulation, which can be nasty since it promotes algae growth.

Your swimming pool should always be a place for fun. For the most part, the pool steps are like invitation. Coupled with safety measures, and letting them feel that they are out of harm's way, your kids will surely find swimming a pleasurable one.