Electric Shock in Pools:
What Every Pool Owner Should Know About Electrical SafetyIn the wake of last March’s tragic pool electric-shock accident in Palm Springs, resulting in the death of Bay Area resident, James Tramel, I thought it would be timely to discuss electrical accidents in pools. All of us at Atlantis Pools were shocked and saddened to hear of this horrific accident and send our prayers to the Tramel family. Outside of drowning, and electrical shock suffered in the pool is the worst thing that can happen to any pool owner, and it’s the job of your licensed pool contractor to ensure your electrical equipment is up to date and functioning properly. An electrical accident can happen in pools due to hazardous pool equipment that’s either malfunctioning or was improperly installed.The best way to prevent electrical accidents is to make sure your swimming pool is in good working order and operating with updated equipment.Upgrade your pool lighting.The greatest risk of electrical accidents comes from older pool lights. If you have an older pool, considering putting in new lighting that adheres to modern safety standards and is less likely to malfunction due to age. At Atlantis Pools, we recommend our clients consider upgrading to 12-volt LED lighting, which makes it impossible to suffer serious injury from electric shock.Have your pool inspected.You should have all electrical components inspected if you’re considering moving into a house that already has a pool. I recommend an annual or bi-annual electrical inspection on every pool to check for any faulty wiring or equipment.Do not attempt to do electrical work yourself.There are many pool projects that do-it-yourselfers can complete, but electrical work is best left to a licensed professional.Watch for signs of faulty equipment. In particular, look for pool lights that are flickering or performing erratically. Don’t swim in a pool where anything electrical seems to be going haywire and if you ever feel any kind of tingling feeling in a pool, get out immediately, whether a light is on or not.