For the safest swimming experience, annual pool inspections should only be done by licensed electricians. They should never be done by pool owners or cleaning crews.

Older pools are particularly susceptible to hidden electrical dangers, making annual inspections even more important for them.

Swimming pool power switches should be labeled so they can be turned off quickly in an emergency.

Battery-operated appliances and devices are strongly encouraged over cord-connected devices around swimming pools. If you must use a cord-connected device, keep it at least five feet away from the pool.

Working Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters — installed or portable — should be used on all electrical equipment and on all outlets within 20 feet of the swimming pool’s edge.

Faulty pool lighting can be a major hazard. A safe approach is to downgrade underwater lighting — especially in older pools — from 120 volts to 15 volts. Some signs of bad underwater lighting include water inside the fixture, the presence of mold or rust, buzzing noises or flickering lights.