Keep Cool by the Pool this Summer

Summer is getting closer by the day and that means one thing, time to get poolside. Now your pool has had its spring clean and is looking more and more inviting, here are our top tips for staying cool (and safe) by the pool this summer!

Supervision is Key

When the Saturdays are hot and the BBQ beckons, friends and family seem to appear in your garden from nowhere. When hanging around the pool, it’s important that at least one adult is keeping an eye on the children, that means putting down the book, not nipping into the house or and putting the phone down. The 10/20 rule is a great guideline to follow – that is being able to scan the pool area in 10 seconds and reach the water in 20.

Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek & Slide to Avoid Sunburn

Staying cool by the pool doesn’t only mean wearing your new set of bathers. It also means keeping your cool and protecting your skin from damage by the sun – which is becoming more important than ever to remember.

It’s as easy as slip, slop, slap, seek and slide – Slip on shirt, slop on some sunscreen, slap on a hat to protect your head, seek some shade and slide on those sunnies. It’s the motto we should never forget, get your kids to sing along to the adverts and make it a summertime habit.

As the months go by, the sun is only going to get hotter and although we have come a long way in skin cancer research, prevention is always the best method. Teaching your children the red hot facts about sun safety should be top of your list in keeping cool this summer.

Chill out with your favourite Drinks

Is there a better feeling on a warm summer day than sipping on an icy cool drink? Get creative in the kitchen with these two summery poolside drinks!

Summer Fruit Daiquiri – Credit Better Homes & Gardens

June Bug Mocktail – Credit Better Homes & Gardens

Get Shady

When sunscreen and a hate isn’t enough to keep you cool, it’s time to find some shade under a trusty umbrella or pergola.

An outdoor umbrella can be moved around with the changing sun and will provide you and your family with a small patch of throughout the day. An outdoor umbrella is a great idea if you’re sun lovers and only use the shade when the sun is sweltering hot.

Alternatively, for a more permanent shade solution, you can recreate the outdoor space with a pergola or cabana. These create a sheltered area to protect you and your family from the sun and the other – sometimes unpredictable elements. Pergolas or Cabanas are a great way of utilising otherwise unused space in your pool area for relaxing, eating, drinking etc.

Chillout with the best Poolside Tunes

Whether you’re a secret Swiftie or have a soft spot for a little Bohemian Rhapsody, no poolside is complete without a rocking CD, radio or iPod to groove to. But when choosing your perfect poolside playlist, there are a few things you need to consider.

How are you going to play your music? Purchasing a separate set of speakers especially for your backyard is a great idea as these are designed to endure the wear and tear of the outdoors. Or treat yourself to an early Christmas gift with floating Bluetooth speakers!

The type of music you choose will set the poolside mood. If you are having a chilled-out backyard BBQ with a beer or two, it may be a good idea opt for some something a bit slower. If your kids are having a pool party, the latest tunes are always a hit for them to sing along to.