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4 tips for hosting a safe and fun New Year’s pool party

Pool parties are the perfect way to ring in the New Year. You get to show off all of your new renovations and adventurous guests can take a dip. The only caveat is safety, but with these four tips you can throw a bash that your friends won't soon forget.

1. Skip the shots
If you're hosting an aquatic soiree, think twice before you commit to an open bar. Drinking near the pool is extremely dangerous. Intoxication impairs people's judgments, and a normally level-headed person might be more prone to do something crazy, like dive in the shallow end after a few cocktails. Alcohol use is involved in about 70 percent of teen and adult deaths associated with water, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition to booze impairing judgment, it can make someone lose his or her balance and decrease coordination. The sun tends to magnify alcohol's side effects, stated the source.

An easy way to minimize the risk is to eliminate alcohol altogether. If you and your friends are really set on celebrating with a few drinks, consider hosting a pregame party at your pool with Hors d'oeuvres, and then move to a bar or safer environment, like inside, when it's time to consume alcohol.  

2. Don't fuss with the music
Music is arguably the focal point of a New Year's Eve bash. The right compilation of songs can turn a low key evening into a wild dance party. The thing of it is, most music players require a form of electricity, which is hazardous near the water. As stated on the Electrical Safety Foundation International website, more than 30,000 non-fatal shock accidents happen annually. 

In addition to keeping the radio and other electronics as far away from the pool as possible, discourage guests from changing songs. It's dangerous for people getting out of the pool. Water can easily drip onto the cord, and cause an injury. Set up a playlist that's as many hours long as you expect the party to last and let it play through without touching it during the party. 

3. Control the guest list
Even if you have a big home, inviting a lot of guests over might not be the best idea. The more friends and family you have over, the more you're going to have to supervise. As a pool owner, the responsibility is on you. If one person is behaving rambunctiously that's one thing, but it can get out of hand if 50 people are ignoring pool safety rules. 

Keep it at a smaller number so you can have an easier time keeping guests safe, and your mind at ease. If you can't narrow down the list, consider asking a close relative or friend to help you chaperone so you don't get overwhelmed.

4. Post-party clean up
Once it's all said and done, don't forget to clean your pool thoroughly. Remember, the more people you let swim in your pool, the more the pH and chlorine levels will fluctuate because they change each time a person enters the water. Sometimes at parties, accidents happen and you might need a minor repair. 

If you need someone to help get the pool ready for your party or to give it a cleaning when it's over, call Fort Worth, Phoenix or San Diego pool service professionals. Clients are eligible for a free salt system – a great incentive to stick to your resolution of exercising in the pool more often.