PRBlast - Press Release Distribution Service

This past summer proved that pool safety is still a serious issue that must be addressed by government, industry, and individuals.

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPSC) recently released a snapshot report that indicates that during the summer of 2014 there were 174 child drownings in swimming pools and spas. They also compiled a list that ranked states from highest to lowest in terms of how many child drowning deaths were reported by the media. Florida came in sixth with 10 drownings. California and Texas came in at the top with 21 and 20 drownings respectively.

While it is commendable that Florida had half as many drownings reported as the leading states, these types of deaths are tragically unnecessary. For decades, government programs have educated adults and children about pool and water safety. Regulations have been passed to increase the safety standard in pool products used. There is a current campaign, called the Pool Safety Pledge, designed to educate adults and children even more stringently than before with an added commitment to follow pool safety principals.

Industry specific organizations like the National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF) work with government agencies to provide swimming pool operators, installers, and maintenance workers with the latest and most up-to-date safety information and training. In turn, these swimming pool companies should work to educate their clients and provide sound safety advice when designing and installing pools and spas.

That is exactly what Pool Doctors of the Palm Beaches does. This company has served the greater Palm Beach area since 1984. They have actively sought after the information and training needed to be fully informed and competent on behalf of their customers. It’ll be two and a half years since they received their last CPO certification through NSPF. It’s good for five years, so in a few years Pool Doctor of the Palm Beaches will go through the certification process again. They belong to the Florida Swimming Pool Association (FSPA), which serves as a non-profit industry check and balance and vets their pool company members. Pool Doctor of the Palm Beaches also writes extensively about pool and water safety in their blog.

There are standard services that Pool Doctor of the Palm Beaches provides their customersthat promote safety. These services include, but are not limited to:

• New pool construction to current safety standards.
• Recommendations and quotes on renovating and updating existing pools to current safety standards.
• Assistance with purchasing appropriate safety products for a given pool or spa. Safety products include safety pool covers and appropriate drain covers.
• Tips on other safety features the pool owner should be aware of. (For example, a suitable pool enclosure to monitor and control pool usage.)
• If desired, development and execution of a regular pool maintenance program geared towards pool safety.

While Pool Doctor of the Palm Beaches makes sure they have their certifications and training up to date and are actively promoting safety on their website (http://www.poolspalmbeaches.com/tag/pool-safety/), ultimately it is the pool owner’s responsibility to ensure that the Pool Safety Pledgeis followed.

The Pool Safety Pledge (http://www.poolsafely.gov/pledge/) is a pledge that adults and children take. It highlights certain safety rules that each must observe. One such example is that kids pledge to never swim alone and adults pledge to designate a life guard during swimming activities. The pledge and associated campaign is still in full swing even though the summer is coming to an end, especially after the child drowning snapshot for the past summer came to light.

As Florida does not necessarily deal with swimming pool down-time due to the winter season, Pool Doctors of the Palm Beaches continues to promote the safety pledge and the swimming pool safety principles behind it. For more information about how Pool Doctors of the Palm Beaches can help you make your pool safer, call (561) 203-0270 or visit http://www.poolspalmbeaches.com/contact-us/.

- ### -

Media Contact:
Barbara Williams
Pool Doctor of the Palm Beaches
(561) 203-0270
Barbara@poolspalmbeaches.com
www.poolspalmbeaches.com/

Pool Doctor of the Palm Beaches is announcing that they are offering in-ground pool construction for homes in the West Palm Beach and Boynton Beach areas.

Across the nation, there are more than 4.5 million homes with in-ground swimming pools. Florida contains the second largest number of private pools statewide at just over 650,000.Roughly ten percent of Florida homes have swimming pools. This statistic is expected to increase in number. People may choose to construct an in-ground pool for a variety of reasons which boil down to two:

• An in-ground swimming pool adds value to the property. A well-constructed, well-designed, and well-maintained pool will add about eight percent to the value of the property when the owner goes to sell it.

• An in-ground pool adds quality of life to the home. Many households prefer to have a private swimming pool in the backyard for family and social gatherings or just general summer fun. Not only is a pool social-friendly, but a well-designed pool can add aesthetic beauty to the backyard.

Once a homeowner has decided to research constructing a pool on their property, they’ve already decided an in-ground pool will add to their lifestyle. At this point they are trying to determine what materials to use, what shape and depth they want, certain aesthetics, their budget, and who they can trust with such a large project.

Florida is a prime location for residential pool construction. It is a state where the swimming season is year-round and the cost of labor is relatively low (as compared to other states). There are a large number of pool companies and the competition helps to keep the price down. However, pool design and installation is still likely to run into the tens of thousands of dollars and building an in-ground pool is a major construction undertaking and requires specific engineering expertise. The old adage “you get what you pay for” certainly applies.

Homeowners must wade through the pool installation options available. A handy resource is the Florida Swimming Pool Association (FSPA), a non-profit group that works as a vetting organization for pool companies. This association verifies the company’s reputation, certification, and associated licenses. If the company is a member of the FSPA, then the homeowner can be assured the company has a minimum quality standard.

Choosing a company vetted by the FSPA is the first step towards choosing a reputable pool installation company. Another important factor in determining whether a company is trustworthy is how long the company has been installing pools. Experience is desired for this type of project. Also, the longer the company has been serving the community, the better the data for quality of service. More time means more customers, more customers means more reviews and references, and it is more likely that the Better Business Bureau will have a report and grade for the business.

Pool Doctor of the Palm Beaches is a pool installation and maintenance company that has been in the pool business since 1984. It is a member of the FSPA and has been CPO (Certified Pool Operator) certified by the National Swimming Pool Foundation. For more information about how Pool Doctors of the Palm Beaches can help with the design and installation of an in-ground pool, call (561) 203-0270 or visit http://www.poolspalmbeaches.com/contact-us/.

- ### -

Media Contact:
Barbara Williams
Pool Doctor of the Palm Beaches
(561) 203-0270
Barbara@poolspalmbeaches.com
www.poolspalmbeaches.com/

New financing options are available for homeowners that wish to renovate or build a pool on their property.

In 2014, American consumers are still suffering from the effects of the financial upheaval fromthe early part of this century. Banks and other lending institutions severely cut back on consumer loans. This left a financing hole for many home improvement projects. If a homeowner needed to renovate an old pool or build a new one, they either needed to have sufficient savings or look into getting a second mortgage. The latter option wasn’t a guarantee either, as those were also curtailed and more difficult to secure.

Other financing institutions stepped in to fill the void. In 2007, the Lending Club became the second peer-to-peer lending platform to be founded in the US. The goal was to supply financing for consumer loans by pairing those loans with direct private investors. Its online platform brings together creditworthy borrowers and lending investors as an alternative to traditional bank loans. Businesses offering services such as pool repair or construction began working with the Lending Club, and other peer-to-peer lending institutions, to offer consumers an easy financing solution.

-- MORE --

This month Pool Doctor of the Palm Beaches is announcing that it has partnered with the Lending Club to offer financing for customers in the Palm Beach, Florida area. Those that take advantage of this opportunity may obtain an unsecured loan for up to $35,000, which they can use to renovate, repair, or construct a new pool in their backyard. To be considered for a loan applicants must meet certain requirements, such as be an American resident of proper age, have a valid bank account, and have a minimum credit score of 640. Those that secure a Lending Club loan via the link on Pool Doctor’s website will automatically receive a rebate of 1% of the loan amount.

Peer-to-peer lending is revolutionizing the banking community. Companies, such as Google, have invested significantly into it. In the US, these platforms have issued over $250 million dollars worth of loans. Private investors backing these loans have received higher returns on these loans than they would elsewhere (on average around 10%). What began as something of a social experiment has now become a viable mainstream alternative. In a strange turn of events, even banks are getting into the action and creating investment options in these platforms.

For more information on how this peer-to-peer lending option can help you obtain the pool of your dreams, contact the Pool Doctor of the Palm Beaches at (561) 203-0270 or visit www.poolspalmbeaches.com/contact-us/.

- ### -

Media Contact:
Barbara Williams
Pool Doctor of the Palm Beaches
561) 203-0270
Barbara@poolspalmbeaches.com
www.poolspalmbeaches.com/