If you close your pool during the winter (or the "off season"), the following suggestions will help you accomplish this task with Safety in mind:

Cleanup the pool area.
Get everything out of the pool area that's not meant to be there during the winter such as toys, games, furniture, safety equipment, clocks, telephones, umbrellas, etc. Don't leave anything on the inside or outside of the pool area that could be used to climb over the pool enclosure. You don't want to leave something that might attract a small child to the pool.

Chemical handling & storage.
Once you've drained the water in the pool, either completely or at least to below the skimmer openings, and you've removed the water from your distribution lines, pumps, filters and chemical feeders, you need to properly store any chemicals you still have on hand. Regardless of what type of chemical you use, read the material safety data sheet (MSDS) or the product label for each chemical so you understand how to safely handle and store them.

• Wear protective apparel when handling pool chemicals, i.e., gloves, eyewear, clothes, shoes, etc.
• Store pool chemicals in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place, in their original containers, out of direct sunlight and out of reach of children or pets.
• Do not store chemicals near gasoline, paints, fertilizers, tile cleaners, and similar products.
• Do not store chlorines near acids. You can produce chlorine gas if these compounds contact each other.
• If a fire develops in the storage area, only use large amounts of water to put out the fire. Do not use a dry chemical fire extinguisher. Call the fire department.
• Read the following safety document for more comprehensive information on handling & storing pool chemicals: US EPA Chemical Safety Alert.

Pool cover.
If you use a pool cover, make sure that it is closed completely. A partially opened cover provides a "neat" hiding place and will not protect children from drowning in the pool.

Pool enclosure.
After you've completed your work inside the pool area, inspect the pool enclosure one more time to make sure there are no breaks, worn parts, lifted sections or any area that might be used to get into the pool after it is closed. (Think like a child. If you can figure out a way in, so can they). Check any gates or doors in the enclosure. When you are finished, they should be closed and locked. You also may want to use a water and or gate alarm (which sounds remotely in the house) as an added measure of security.

No trespassing.
When you're finished closing the pool and you lock the entrance to the pool area, make sure to post "Pool Closed" and other "off-limit" signs. Teach your children what the signs mean. Also, instruct your children on what to do if something "accidentally" goes into the pool area. Again, think SAFETY when closing your pool for the winter.

One more tip...
If you leave water in your pool during the "off season", remember that stagnant water provides a perfect environment for breeding mosquitoes. However, you do have choices. Either drain the pool completely, or continually circulate and filter the water, or use a larvicide in the water, or, if you use a pool cover, make sure it does not collect standing water. If you also have a plastic wading pool not in use, turn it upside down.

Want some tips on how to safely open your pool each year with a thorough inspection? Click here.