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Pag* 14 Spring Home Living Some tips for swimming pools, swing sets By JoeAgnew Swimming pools and swing sets, two kinds of recreational equipment frequent­ ly found in backyards, are convenient for families who like to relax and enjoy the summer months in privacy of their own home. Now that the warm weather is return­ ing, pool owners are no doubt getting ready to get the filters going and the water splashing. If owners of above- and in-ground pools took the correct steps in winterizing their pool last fall, they should have very little work getting them ready for that first swim of spring. Spring pool maintenance should in­ clude such fine points as inspecting the filter, and making sure all mechanical parts are oiled and lubricated, according to Kim Meier of Meier's Masterbuilt pools in Fox Lake. Meier also said swimming pool liners -- used to cover the pool during the winter -- should also be inspected for any damage, so they can be ready when the time comes in fall to close the pool. MEIER EXPLAINED THAT IF A POOL is properly cleaned, covered and chemically treated in the fall, owners should have little or no trouble in getting them ready. He added that Meiers is of­ fering a two-hour maintenance class May 6 at its Fox Lake store for new and ex­ isting owners. Meier added that now is the time for persons wishing to install pools to get moving. He said those wishing to install above-ground pools can walk in tomorrow and have one installed by next week. Average price is about $1,000. He said those wishing to have ground pools installed should also be thinking of finalizing their plans soon if they want to have one ready by the end of the season. Although the start of construction is determined by workers' schedules, Meier said complete construction takes only about two weeks. He said an average price is about $9,000. According to a phamphlet issued by the National Safety Council, consumers should check the following things when shopping for or inspecting existing home playground equipment: • Sharp edges -- any sharp edges should be taped over, and the equipment should also be taped where it is shown to have excessive weather damage. • Exposed screws and bolts -- When buying equipment, consumers should make sure plastic covers are included for covering protruding nuts and bolts. Owners of existing equipment should tape areas where these covers have fallen off or have become lost -- even if they are out of children's reach. • S-hooks -- These hooks should be tightened with pliers because children's clothing can easily be caught in them. • Hard, heavy swing set seats -- They should be discarded and replaced with lighter seats with smooth rolled edges. Heavy seats have been known to have fractured many child's skull. • Pinch-crush points -- Buyers should be aware of equipment that can easily pinch or crush fingers and hands, such as seesaws and gliders. • Rings -- Rings ranging in diameter from 5 to 10 inches should be discarded, because they can easily trap a child's head. • Inadequate space -- There should be at least six feet between the furthest sw­ ing reach and the nearest fence. • Improper anchoring -- Swing sets should be mounted in concrete underground. Equipment should also not be installed on hard ground where there are sticks, rocks and other hazardous debris. • Metal slides -- Metal slides should be positioned north so direct contact with the sun can be avoided. Permits are part of the rules By Dick Peterson There are a lot of rules of thumb when building. The most basic is securing the necessary permits before you begin. "Any construction should have a permit," says Glenn Peterson, the McHenry County building and zonini officer. "He should really call an make sure what he wants to do he is able to do." It goes without saying that new home ,, construction requires a permit. Andf new home building appears to be on the upswing in McHenry County with 23 building permits issued in the first two weeks of April, "which is exceptional for us," Peterson says. For persons living in incorporated areas of the county, permits are available from the local village or city building officer. In the unincorporated PERMITS-Page 15 FULL LINE SELECTION OF +HxLpxrir,J ^.rlpool APPLIANCES •Mi r* • t i • C3 Frig ida i re EUREKA VACUUM CLEANERS LEE & RAY ELECTRIC 1005 N. FRONT. 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