AAP revises drowning prevention policy

Marcelle Dibrell

This May, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a revised policy statement on drowning prevention. The document provides guidance and best practices to help pediatricians work with families and communities to decrease the risk of drowning.

Chief among the revisions is the new recommendation that children should begin learning to swim by age one.  

The new recommendation is based on a 2009 study that was published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, in an article entitled “Association between swimming lessons and drowning in childhood: a case-control study.” The study found that there is an 88% reduction in the risk of drowning in the 1- to 4-year-old children after participation in formal swimming lessons.  

Results of Industry Survey: Small companies have competitive edge

Staff Writer

With the swim season upon us, Service Industry professionals are hard at work keeping America’s backyard swimming pools in tip-top shape. Industrious service techs have a grueling schedule. Some are working 12 hour days, off to their first accounts at dawn (customers allowing) and they don’t stop until they drop. 

For most, the work doesn’t end with the last visit to a customer’s swimming pool. No, then it is time to review billing, ordering, new client quotes, scouting and more. And in their “spare time,” they are attending meetings and getting new product educational training. 

Trade associations offer benefits for all

Staff Writer

By Staff Writer

The benefits of belonging to a trade association are not always fully apparent until the decision is made to actually join. Many people join an association with the expectation of attaining a specific goal. 

It is also true that an association may offer many unexpected benefits. 

Wide variety of pool surfaces now available

Staff Writer

By Staff Writer

The last issue of Service Industry News discussed swimming pool startup procedures, focusing on the two popular methods to start up plaster swimming pools. 

That’s because for years, plaster-surfaced pools have dominated the market, but with all that is available now, they are not necessarily the best. 

Today’s consumers are presented with a variety of pool surfaces and finishes that provide additional strength and durability. 

Industry optimistic after SCE rebate meeting

Marcelle Dibrell

While no immediate change occurred to the 2019 pool pump rebate program as a result of a March 5 meeting between pool and spa industry leaders and officials from Southern California Edison, industry members emerged optimistic that a new deal could be implemented.

Terry Snow, the Independent Pool and Spa Service Association’s Legislation and Regulation Committee chair, was among the industry representatives who felt positive about their ability to influence SCE to include the broader industry in the rebate program. 

SCE rebate policy shuts out service pros

Marcelle Dibrell

By Marcelle Dibrell

Southern California Edison has made some unexpected changes to its rebate policy on the sale and installation of variable-speed pumps.

Rebates are no longer available to the customers of the majority of pool service professionals that operate in Southern California. Currently, homeowners may receive their rebates for the purchase of a variable-speed pump only at Leslie’s Pool Supply. 

CYA’s role in chlorine’s efficacy questioned

Marcelle Dibrell

By Marcelle Dibrell

Although cyanuric acid has been used alongside chlorine in swimming pools since 1956, a great deal of confusion remains about how it works. One of the biggest problems is a surprising lack of peer-reviewed studies concerning cyanuric acid’s effect on chlorine’s ability to kill algae. 

The pool industry is only lately becoming aware that cyanuric acid slows chlorine’s ability to kill bacteria and some microorganisms. For example, it is only in the last few years that the CDC has recommended lowering cyanuric acid to less than 15 ppm prior to superchlorinating in the event of a fecal incident. 

In Memoriam: Janice Dickman — 1946-2019

In Memoriam: Janice Dickman — 1946-2019

Staff Writer

If it had been left up to her, Janice Dickman’s greatest goal in life was to be a Mommy.

And even though she gave birth to only one child, there are at least a half dozen people walking this earth who grew up calling her “Mom.”

She was born Janice Lee Wilson on Oct. 2, 1946, in Fort Myers, Fla., and died peacefully in her sleep this past Jan. 16 in  San Clemente, Calif., her home for the past 20 years.

Hey Service Pros: Is a franchise right for you?

Staff Writer

By Marcelle Dibrell

Why did you decide to work for yourself? You wanted to make your own hours, right? Take Friday off and play golf? Sleep in occasionally?

So, how’s that working out for you?

You may have heard the phrase: an entrepreneur is someone who works 80 hours a week so they don’t have to work 40 for someone else.

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