Now that we are in the hottest days of summer, the whole family is spending more time around the backyard swimming pool. For many families, however, each person is off doing their own thing: Mom may be sunning herself on a chaise lounge, dad could be catching up on the latest scores on his smart phone, while the kids are splashing and jumping in the pool with seemingly boundless energy. Families have more fun when they do things together. So here are some fun and exciting pool games famili...

When it comes to your home swimming pool, you can be reasonably sure that the water conditions are going to be safe for you and your family. After all, you hire the best professional pool service that provides expert care in keeping water chemicals balanced and removing any debris. But what about swimming in a pool other than your own, such as the pool at the hotel when you are on vacation in another city or even another country? How can you be sure those pools are safe? Look Before You Le...

If you are considering adding an in-ground pool to your home, there are many different decisions that have to be made. What size do you want? What shape is best? Should it include features such as an infinity ledge, a slide, or an elaborate tile design? One of the first decisions, however, is what sort of material your in-ground pools should be made out of. There are three that are the most common. Perhaps the most popular is concrete. The benefit of using concrete is that it can be formed...

The service and maintenance required by an indoor pool and an outdoor pool are very similar, with a couple of key differences. Both require that the chemicals in the water be balanced, so constant monitoring and maintenance is necessary. Both also need to have their walls and floors regularly cleaned and vacuumed so the water is clear and the pool looks clean. Many people believe that because an indoor pool isn't as exposed to the elements, it requires less maintenance. But this is not act...

When homeowners hire a pool service to clean and maintain their pool, usually the first thing they look at is the cost. But choosing the cheapest pool cleaning service isn't always the best move. Here are five other important considerations when hiring a pool service: Are They Licensed? -- Depending on where you live, a pool service may need to have both a business license and a contractor's license to legally be in business. While a contractor's license is not always required for simple ...

Dolphins are one of the most intelligent animals on the planet, nearly as smart as humans. In the wild, they often appear friendly toward people, swimming up close to boats and jumping playfully near swimmers. But dolphins are actually wild, powerful animals that can be very aggressive, especially in the wild. Feeding and swimming with dolphins may seem like a good idea, but it actually can be very harmful to both dolphins and humans. So what about places where you can pay to swim with dol...

When you rent a condo or townhouse in a vacation destination resort or property, it's common that there will be a pool on the property. In most cases, as a paying guest, you are entitled to the same pool privileges as the permanent residents of the property. But it's often a good idea to double check what your rental entitles you to before grabbing your suntan lotion and sunglasses and heading for the pool. A quick phone call to the rental agency or the property's front desk usually is all...

Now that winter is finally fading into a distant memory and the weather is once again warming up, it's time to start thinking about getting your pool ready for summer. Preparing your pool is something many homeowners tend to push to the back burner. After all, there are so many other things competing for your attention in the spring -- including communions, proms, graduations, getting your garden ready, and so forth -- that prepping your pool often falls low on the priority list. Early Bir...

The quality of the water in your pool affects not only the way it looks, but the safety and health of the people who use it. Trying to save a few bucks by using less expensive chemicals or attempting to provide maintenance you aren't trained to perform generally isn't a good idea. There's too much at risk when it comes to the health and safety of your family and their friends. The place to cut corners isn't on the balancing and sanitizing of your pool. Pools Need Regular Maintenance Poo...

You love your pool. You also love your tablet device, such as your iPad or your Kindle Fire. But these two things don't necessarily love each other. Using your tablet device close to your pool can be risky. If you drop it into the water, it's essentially ruined. And even if you accidentally drop it even a short distance onto the ground, it can cause the screen to crack. Here, then, are four helpful tips that will make it easier for you to use your tablet device safely and conveniently near...